Effects of hecogenin on Larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti mosquito, the dengue vector

Background Dengue is a viral disease, caused by the dengue virus, a Flaviviridae family virus. Dengue is transmitted by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes, principally A. aegypti. The dengue control is based on the mosquito combat, most of time through chemical insecticides. Hecogenin is a sapogenin present in the leaves of species from the Agave genus, with a wide spectrum of reported pharmacological activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of hecogenin in Aedes aegypti mortality. Currently, several studies have shown the increase of the insect resistance for various chemical pesticides. In this way, the aim of this study was verify de larvicidal activity of the hecogenin acetate against A. aegypti larvae (L4).