Protein profiling and antioxidant enzymatic activity of the ethanol extract of Cocculus hirsutus (L.) W. Theob. efficacy against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus
Paper Details
Protein profiling and antioxidant enzymatic activity of the ethanol extract of Cocculus hirsutus (L.) W. Theob. efficacy against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus
Abstract
The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is one of the most destructive pests affecting economically important palm species worldwide. The present study investigated the insecticidal potential of the ethanol extract of Cocculus hirsutus and evaluated its effects on antioxidant enzyme activity and protein profiles in R. ferrugineus larvae. Leaves of C. hirsutus were collected and extracted using ethanol, and the chemical constituents of the extract were analysed through liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A total of 122 compounds were detected, including biologically active molecules such as hirsutine, gallic acid, resveratrol, ferulic acid, and quercetin derivatives. Larvae of R. ferrugineus were exposed to different concentrations (2–10%) of the plant extract. Higher concentrations (8% and 10%) caused rapid mortality of larvae, while the 2% treatment showed negligible effects and was excluded from subsequent biochemical analyses. Antioxidant enzyme assays revealed a marked reduction in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in treated larvae compared with the control, indicating a disruption of oxidative stress defence mechanisms. SDS-PAGE analysis further demonstrated alterations in protein expression, with control larvae showing multiple protein bands, whereas treated larvae exhibited progressively faint bands at higher extract concentrations. These findings suggest that C. hirsutus ethanol extract induces oxidative stress and protein alterations in R. ferrugineus larvae, contributing to their mortality. The study highlights the potential of C. hirsutus as a promising botanical pesticide for the sustainable management of red palm weevil infestations.
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