Development of a curcumin-based photolarvicidal microcapsule for the control of aedes Aegypti larvae

• Grant number: 19/23042-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: August 01, 2020 - April 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Larissa Marila de Souza
• Grantee: Larissa Marila de Souza
• Host Company: PDT Pharma Indústria e Comércio de Produtos Farmacêuticos Ltda. - EPP
• CNAE: Atividades de apoio à gestão de saúde
• City: Cravinhos
• Associated researchers: Cristiane Matavelli ; Matheus Garbuio ; Natalia Mayumi Inada
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/10779-9 - Development of a curcumin-based photolarvicidal microcapsule for the control of Aedes aegypti larvae, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector the viruses responsible for the transmission of serious diseases such as Zika fever, dengue, yellow fever and Chikungunya. In Brazil, in 2015, an increase of fifteen times the number of cases of microcephaly in newborns, all related to maternal-fetal transmission of Zika virus.In March 2015, since the outbreak of the virus in Brazil, the Ministry of Health reported about 2,975 suspected cases of microcephaly related to Zika virus. In 2016, Zika fever suspected cases exceeded 100,000, with an incidence rate of 67.6 cases / 100,000 inhabitants. Continuous use of chemical insecticides, such as carbamates, pyrethroids and organophosphates, generated resistant populations of the mosquito, making ineffective control by this method. The joint action of the population with guidelines to prevent the reproduction of training associated with the use of insecticides can be the way to control epidemiological outbreaks across the country.Curcumin (a natural curcuminoid pigment extracted from the root of Curcuma longa L.), is a strong ally to the integrated control of the Ae aegypti vector. Besides having high in natura activity, when associated with any light source, it can potentiate its larvicidal properties. The combination of a pigment, light and molecular oxygen results in the oxidation of various cellular components, causing larval death. In the scientific literature, this phenomenon is known as "Photodynamic Inactivation". This technique has an eco-friendly approach as it does not cause environmental damage compared to conventional products currently applied against these vectors. As the pigment, in this case curcumin, is activated by light, it is consumed in a way that leaves no toxic residues in the environment. Another favorable feature is that in the absence of light, the molecule is totally safe and little active and can be ingested up to 12 grams per day. With this, the idea of this project is to produce curcumin microcapsules that act through photodynamic inactivation effectively and safely in larvae breeding place, ensuring a controlled release and avoiding its rapid environmental degradation: main cause of non-implementation of natural substances studied in this modality. (AU)