INDIGENA
BIODIVERSITY
Insect repellent
G412 SUMMARY
TRADITIONAL USES
- This plant is known to be a natural insect repellent and fungicide, and eliminates fleas and lice. The leaves, ground up and made into a paste with water, are used by farmers in some Latin American countries to repel insects.
- In Guatemala, the bark and leaves are used to treat human skin diseases.
- It is also used as a wound-healing agent
PATENTS
- There is a patent series relating to a skin whitening preparation. The patents seem to have lapsed worldwide
SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REFERENCES
Ref G412-1
A low cost gel formulation made from the lyophilized sap of the plant was found to be effective as a wound healing agent, at 7.5% concentration, by three methods:
(1) measurement of the rate of wound contraction,
(2) tensile strength of the healed tissue using a tensiometer and
(3) histological examination of collagen deposition.
Ref G412-2
A new isoflavan, 7,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxyisoflavan has been isolated from the insecticidally active hot dichloromethane extract of the heartwood, along with the three other isoflavonoids, which are new to this species.
Ref G412-3
The ethanol extract of leaves was tested on parasitic nematodes and for mosquito repellent activity. Nematicidal activity was observed against Meloidogyne incognita
nematode showing 60% mortality. Mosquito repellent activity was been studied against Aedes aegypti; the maximum repellency was 78% compared with the citronella oil, repellency 74%.
Ref G412-4
Skin infections are common diseases in developing countries, of which dermatophytoses are of particular concern in the tropics, especially in infants. Results showed that aqueous extracts of the plant inhibit one or more of the most common dermatophytes. Fungicidal and fungistatic activities were demonstrated. These results provide a scientific basis for the use of these plants for the treatment of dermatophyte infections in man.
Ref G412-5
The investigation of a methanolic extract of the bark afforded three new 12a-hydroxyrotenoids, gliricidol, 2-methoxygliricidol, and gliricidin. The compounds exhibited activity against Artemia salina
larvae.
Ref G412-6
Activity against ticks and mites
Toxicity of ethanolic extracts of the plant to the mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus
(Boisduval) were evaluated. 10% extracts caused 72.5% of mortality to T. cinnabarinus; andmaximum acaricidal effects (100% mortality) when used at a concentration of 20%. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and tannins, essential oils and saponins was verified.
Ref G412-7
The crude extract and some fractions exerted phagodeterrence (repellant) against the insect Bemisia tabaci, an important virus vector on a number of crops worldwide.
Ref G412-8
Females of the rice green leafhopper, Nephotettix virescens
were repelled by the odours released from the leaf discs of the plant.