Abstract
The isoquinoline alkaloid berberine, present in nine different plant families was found to be phototoxic to mosquito larvae. In the presence of near UV the LC50 for acute 24-hr toxicity was 8.8 ppm compared to 250 ppm for dark controls. Mosquito larvae that were treated with 10 ppm berberine plus near UV for 24 hr and then transferred to berberine-free water showed decreased larval survival and resulted in a smaller cumulative number of pupae and adults as compared to controls, during a subsequent 4-week development period. Berberine was found to be a singlet O2 generator in experiments with the chemical trap 2,5-dimethyl furan. A slight increase in chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster cells was also observed with berberine plus near UV treatment. The significance of the phototoxicity of berberine is discussed in relation to plant-insect relations.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Arnason, J.T., Chan, F.G.Q., Wat, C.K., Downum, K., andTowers, G.H.N. 1981. In vivo photosensitization ofE. coli andS. cerevisiae by alpha terthienyl.Photochem. Photobiol. 33:821.
Arnason, J.T.,Towers, G.H.N.,Philogene, B.J.R., andLambert, J. 1983. Naturally occurring photosensitizers and their effects on insects, pp. 139–151,in P. Hedin(ed.). Mechanisms of Plant Resistance to Insects. ACS Symposium, Las Vegas.
Dethier, V.G. 1980. Evolution of receptor sensitivity to secondary plant substances with special reference to deterrents.Am. Nat. 115:45–55.
Devitt, B.D., Philogene, B.J.R., andKinks, C.F. 1980. Effects of veratrine, berberine, nicotine and atropine on developmental characteristics and survival of the dark-sided cutwormEuxoa messoria (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).Phytoprotection 61:88–102.
Faddejeva, M.D., Belyaeva, T.N., Novikov, J.P., andShalabi, H.C. 1980.IRCS Libr. Compend. 8(9):612.
Gilbert, L.E. 1977. Development of theory in the analysis of insect-plant interactions, pp. 117–154,in D.H. Horn, G.R. Stairs, R.D. Mitchell (eds.). Analysis of Ecological Systems. Ohio State University Press, Columbus.
Greathouse, C.G., andWatkins, G.N. 1938. Berberine as a factor in the resistance ofMahonia trifoliata andM. swaseyi toPhymatotrichum root rot.Am. J. Bot. 25:743–748.
Ito, T. 1978. Cellular and subcellular mechanisms of photodynamic action: The1O2 hypothesis as a driving force in recent research.Photochem. Photobiol. 28:493–508.
Jeffs, P.W. 1967. The protoberberine alkaloids, pp. 41–115,in R.H.F. Manske (ed.). The Alkaloids, Vol. IX. Academic Press, New York.
Macrae, W.D., Chan, G.F.Q., Wat, C.K., Towers, G.H.N., andLam, J. 1980. Examination of naturally occurring polyacetylenes and alpha terthienyl for their ability to induce cytogenetic damage.Experientia 36:1096–1097.
Maidi, M., andChauduri, K. 1981. Interaction of berberine chloride with naturally occurring DNA.Indian J. Biochem. Biophys. 18:245–250.
Manske, R.H.F. 1950. Sources of alkaloids and their isolation, pp. 1–14,in R.H.F. Manske and H.L. Holmes (eds.). The Alkaloids, Vol. 1. Academic Press, New York.
Manske, R.H.F. 1968. Papaveraceae alkaloids, pp. 467–483,in R.H.F. Manske (ed.). The Alkaloids Vol. X. Academic Press, New York.
Nakamura, J. 1977. Material active against fungi. Patent: Ger. Offen., 2552630. West Germany. 37 pp.
Pesson, P. 1980. A propos de l'instrict botanique des insectes: Un aspect de la co-evolution des plantes et des insectes.Ann. Soc. Entomol. Fr. 16:435–452.
Pfyffer, G.E., Panfil, I., andTowers, G.H.N. 1982. Monofunctional covalent photobinding of dictamnine, a furoquinoline alkaloid, to DNA as a target in vitro.Photochem. Photobiol. 35:63–68.
Philogene, B.J.R., andLabaky, L. 1982. Effects of 1.8D Matacil (Aminocarb) onAedes atropalpus.Ann. Soc. Entomol. Que. 27:167–171.
Raffauf, R.F. 1970. A Handbook of Alkaloids and Alkaloid-Containing Plants. Wiley & Sons. New York.
Rama Rao, N., andTandon, S.N. 1978. Thin layer chromatography of some toxic alkaloids on metal salt impregnated silica gel.J. Chromatogr. Sci. 16:158–161.
Santavy, F. 1970. Papaveraceae alkaloids, pp. 333–454,in R.H.F. Manske(ed.). The Alkaloids, Vol. XII. Academic Press. New York.
Spikes, J.D. 1977. Photosensitization, pp. 87–112,in K.C. Smith (ed.). The Science of Photobiology. Plenum Press, New York.
Yoshikazu, K., 1976. Organic and biological aspects of berberine alkaloids.Heterocycles 4:197–219.
Zwölfer, H. 1978. Mechanismen and Ergenbnisse des Co-Evolution von phytophagen and entomophagen Insekten and Höheren PflanzenSonderd.Naturwiss. Ver. Humberg 2:7–50.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Philogène, B.J.R., Arnason, J.T., Towers, G.H.N. et al. Berberine: A naturally occurring phototoxic alkaloid. J Chem Ecol 10, 115–123 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987648
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987648