Synthesis analogues of milbemycin and their bioactivity evaluation

Design, synthesis, insecticidal activity and molecular docking of doramectin derivatives

A series of new doramectin derivatives containing carbamate, ester and sulfonate were synthesized, and their structures were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrum (HRMS). Their insecticidal activities against oriental armyworm, diamondback moth, and corn borer were evaluated and compared with the parent doramectin and commercial avermectins, metolcarb, fenpropathrin. Among all compounds, three compounds (3a, 3g and 3h) showed excellent insecticidal effect. In particular, compound 3g containing cyclopropyl carbamate against oriental armyworm, diamondback moth, and corn borer, exhibited the most promising insecticidal activity with the final mortality rate of 66.67%, 36.67%, 40.00% at the concentration of 12.5 mg/L, respectively. The LC₅₀ values of 3g were 5.8859, 22.3214, and 22.0205 mg/L, showing 6.74, 2.23, 2.21-fold higher potency than parent doramectin (LC₅₀ values of 39.6907, 49.7736, and 48.6129 mg/L) and 6.83, 1.93, 3.36-fold higher potency than commercial avermectins (LC₅₀ values of 40.2489, 42.9922, and 73.9508 mg/L). Additionally, molecular docking simulations revealed that 3g displayed stronger hydrogen-bonding action in binding with the GABA receptor than parent doramectin, which were crucial for keeping high insecticidal activity. The present work demonstrated that these compounds containing alkyl carbamate group could be considered as potential candidates for the development of novel pesticides in the future.

Synthesis, biological activities and structure-activity relationships for new avermectin analogues

In an effort to discover new molecules with good insecticidal activities, more than 40 new avermectin derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities against three species of arachnids, insects and nematodes, namely, Tetranychus Cinnabarinus, Aphis craccivora and Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. All the tested compounds showed potent inhibitory activities against three insect species. Notably, the majority of compounds exhibited high selectivity against T. cinnabarinus, some of which were much better in comparison with avermectin. Especially compounds 9j (LC50: 0.005 μM) and 16d (LC50: 0.002 μM) were 2.5- and 4.7-fold more active than avermectin (LC50: 0.013 μM), respectively, against T. cinnabarinus. Moreover, compounds 9b, 9d-f, 9h, 9j, 9l, 9n, 9p, 9r, 9v and 17d showed superior activities with LC50 values of 2.959-5.013 μM compared to that of 1 (LC50: 6.746 μM) against B. xylophilus. Meanwhile, the insecticidal activities of compounds 9f, 9g, 9h, and 9m against A. craccivora were 7-8 times better than that of avermectin, with LC50 values of 7.744, 5.634, 6.809, 7.939 and 52.234 μM, respectively. Furthermore, QSAR analysis showed that the molecular shape, size, connectivity degree and electronic distribution of avermectin analogues had substantial effects on insecticidal potency. These preliminary results provided useful insight in guiding further modifications of avermectin in the development of potential new insecticides.