Some Biological Effects of Dioscorea composita and Dioscorea mexicana Glycosidic Fractions

Abstract

Biological activity of the glycosidic fractions from Dioscorea composita and D. mexicana was tested against two insect species and a weed; findings include delay of molting of Tenebrio molitor larvae, high toxicity to Anastrepha ludens adults, and inhibition of growth of Cassia jalapensis, mainly due to D. mexicana glycosides, whose composition differs from that of D. composita particularly in the presence of furostanic (semi-open chained) compounds, and whose structural similarity with ecdysones could explain delay of metamorphosis.