Immunotoxicity activity of natural furocoumarins from milky sap of Ficus carica L. against Aedes aegypti L.

Abstract

Ficus carica L., its fruits are delicious and can be eaten by human. Its leaves are commonly used to cure hemorrhoid and clear away heart ache. The milky sap of F. carica have a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L with an lethal concentration (LC₅₀) value of 10.2 μg/ml and an LC₉₀ value of 42.3 μg/ml. Two natural furocoumarins, 5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen were isolated from the milky sap of F. carica. The LC₅₀ value of 5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen were 9.4 and 56.3 μg/ml, respectively. The above indicates that major compounds may play a more important role in the toxicity of the milky sap of F. carica.

Keywords::

• Aedes aegypti
• Ficus carica L.
• milky sap
• immunotoxicity effects
• furocoumarins

Acknowledgments

This study was partly supported by 2010 research fund of ARPC.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.