Effect of lignans and other secondary metabolites of the asteraceae on the mono-oxygenase activity of the european corn borer

Abstract

Five lignans and two representative allelochemicals from the Asteraceae, a polyacetylene and a sesquiterpene lactone, were assayed in vitro for their activity on the gut microsomal monooxygenases (PSMOs) in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. At concentrations ranging from 10-7 to 10-3 M, diasesartemin, dillapiol, sesamolin, and to a lesser extent cubebin, were inhibitors of the epoxidase activity. Epiyangambin had little effect. Phenylheptatriyne and tenulin stimulated PSMO activity at low concentrations, and were inhibitors at higher concentrations. The significance of PSMO inhibitors for the plant defence system as well as for the insect is discussed. © 1989.