Lippia umbellata Cav.: Chemical Composition, Insecticidal, and Antimicrobial Activities

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Entomology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Lippia umbellata, a Verbenaceae family plant, is traditionally used in Mexico for treating infections.
• Research into its biological activities, particularly insecticidal and antimicrobial properties, is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the insecticidal and antimicrobial potential of hexane extracts from Lippia umbellata leaves (LHE) and flowers (FHE).
• To identify the main components of the extracts and their mechanism of action.

Main Methods:

• Hexane extraction from leaves and flowers.
• Insecticidal assays using Drosophila melanogaster, including mortality and developmental studies.
• In vitro enzymatic assays for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition.
• In silico analysis of molecular interactions.
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against multidrug-resistant strains.

Main Results:

• Both LHE and FHE induced 100% mortality in Drosophila melanogaster with low LD50 values.
• Extracts inhibited larval development and affected the reproduction of the second generation.
• LHE and FHE inhibited AChE in vitro; callicarpifolic acid showed interaction with the active site in silico.
• LHE demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria and yeast.

Conclusions:

• Lippia umbellata hexane extracts possess significant insecticidal and antimicrobial properties.
• AChE inhibition is a potential mechanism for the insecticidal activity.
• This study is the first to report these biological activities for Lippia umbellata, warranting further investigation.