The Biological Activity of -Mangostin, a Larvicidal Botanic Mosquito Sterol Carrier Protein-2 Inhibitor

Mangostin derived from mangosteen was identiÞed as a mosquito sterol carrier protein-2 inhibitor via high throughput insecticide screening. -Mangostin was tested for its larvicidal activity against third instar larvae of six mosquito species, and the median lethal concentration values range from 0.84 to 2.90 ppm. The residual larvicidal activity of -mangostin was examined under semiÞeld conditions. The results indicated that -mangostin was photolytic with a half-life of 53 min in water under full sunlight exposure. The effect of -mangostin on activities of major detoxiÞcation enzymes such as P450, glutathione S-transferase, and esterase was investigated. The results showed that -mangostin signiÞcantly elevated activities of P450 and glutathione S-transferase in larvae, whereas it suppressed esterase activity. Toxicity of -mangostin against young rats was studied, and there was no detectable adverse effect at dosages as high as 80 mg/kg. This is the Þrst multifaceted studyof thebiological activity of -mangostin inmosquitoes. The results suggest that -mangostinmay be a lead compound for the development of a new organically based mosquito larvicide.