6-Hydroxycoumarin from Artemisia lavandulaefolia Induces Multimodal Toxicity in Solenopsis invicta via behavioral inhibition and mitochondrial disruption

  • Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2026 Jun 15:318:120209. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2026.120209.
Rongchao Luo  1 ,  You Zhou  2 ,  Mingqi Wu  1 ,  Dexiang Yin  1 ,  Chi Li  1 ,  Chengjie Xu  1 ,  Xi Gao  1 ,  Guoxing Wu  1 ,  Jing Wang  1 ,  Mehboob Hussain  3 ,  Yougui Zha  4 ,  Deqiang Qin  5
Affiliations
  • 1. State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650500, China.
  • 2. College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing 404100, China.
  • 3. State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650500, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 4. State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650500, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 5. State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650500, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 42097054 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2026.120209
Abstract

Solenopsis invicta is a globally invasive species with serious ecological and economic impacts. As limitations of conventional chemical control become evident, botanical insecticides offer a promising alternative. This study identifies 6-hydroxycoumarin as the key insecticidal compound from Artemisia lavandulaefolia and systematically elucidates its multi-mechanistic toxicity. The compound exhibited potent gastric toxicity (LC₅₀ = 55.144 mg/L at 72 h) and caused complete behavioral disruption at 125 mg/L, eliminating grasping/walking capacity and nearly suppressing all aggregation/climbing activities. Metabolomic analysis revealed extensive metabolic dysregulation, with significant disruption of CYP450-mediated xenobiotic metabolism pathways. Corresponding enzyme assays confirmed 23% CYP450 inhibition alongside 119-422% induction of GST, CarE, and SOD activities. Histo-pathological and ultra-structural examinations demonstrated dose-dependent midgut epithelial damage, mitochondrial cristae disintegration, and cellular vacuolization. These findings collectively demonstrate that 6-hydroxycoumarin induces mortality through synchronized behavioral incapacitation, metabolic dysfunction, CYP450 Enzymes inhibition, and induction of apoptotic pathways, positioning it as an effective botanical Insecticide for sustainable S. invicta management.

Keywords
6-hydroxycoumarin; Botanical insecticide; Cytochrome p450 enzyme; Histopathology; Solenopsis invicta.
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