Effect of Extracts of Cupressus macrocarpa and Alpinia officinarum on Expression of Chitinase and FGF Receptor Genes in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 Cell Line

ABSTRACT Since plant extracts have long been known to be chitin inhibitor and agents for developmental arrest, chitinase genes and genes that are vital for starting the differentiation program of cells at discrete steps during development are major targets for biocide plant extracts. The current study evaluates the in vitro toxic effects of golden piller (Cupressus macrocarpa) and galangal (Alpinia officinarum) against Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cell line. Also, changes in gene expression levels of chitinase genes (SFch-1, SFch-2) and fibroblast growth factor receptor gene (SFbtl) were demonstrated. Cell sensitivity assay (MTT) showed that golden piller was more toxic than galangal in cell viability tests and more potent in the cell growth inhibition. The calculated LC50 were 120 µM and 200 µM for golden piller and galangal, respectively. Both plant extracts significantly reduced the gene expression levels of chitinase genes and SFbtl (p