TITLE:
Safety Evaluation of the Dichloromethane Extract of Hysterionica pinifolia: A Potential Raw Material for the Development of Biopesticides
AUTHORS:
Ingrid M. Cufre, Adriana M. Broussalis, Susana B. Gorzalczany
KEYWORDS:
Hysterionica pinifolia, Oral Acute Toxicity, Dermal Irritation, Ocular Irritation, Repeated Dose Toxicity
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.11 No.7,
July
14,
2023
ABSTRACT: At the moment, there is a growing concern about the negative effects on human health and the environment due to the widespread and indiscriminate use of conventional insecticides. Since plants have been used throughout history to control microorganisms and insects, the safety is an aspect that must also be evaluated to guarantee that its use does not affect human health and the environment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety of the dichloromethane extract of Hysterionica pinifolia, species with insecticidal activity, to be employed as a raw material for the development of biopesticides. The acute and subacute toxicity and the dermal and ocular irritation were evaluated. In these studies, the dichloromethane extract of H. pinifolia showed no ocular and a slight dermal irritation. Oral acute toxicity was greater than 2000 mg/Kg and less than 5000 mg/Kg (slightly hazardous) and no signs of toxicity were observed at repeated doses of 100 mg/kg body weight. These promising results showed that Hysterionica pinifolia could be considered as a potential raw material for the development of an insecticide from natural sources, safe for human health and the environment.