Components of the root of Anthriscus sylvestris Hoffm. II. Insecticidal activity.

Abstract

Deoxypodophyllotoxin (anthricin) (I), anthriscinol methyl ether (IV) and (Z)-2-angeloyloxymethyl-2-butenoic acid (VI), isolated from the root of Anthriscus sylvestris HOFFM., exerted insecticidal activity on the adults of Blattella germanica, and on the larvae of Culex pipiens molestus, Plutella xylostella and Epilachna sparsa orientalis. In paticular, the activity of 1, i. e., the main lignan component of A. sylvestris root, was so strong as to cause the death of 80% of the larvae of C. pipiens molestus at a concentration of 5 ppm. The epimer at the 2-position of I, i. e., deoxypicropodophyllin (isoanthricin) (II), however, was not insecticidal.