Chemical characterization of the bulbs of Drimia pancration was conducted to isolate four steroidal saponins (1-4). Earlier, we focused on the structural elucidation of compounds 1-3. Herein, by means of 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Nuclear Overhauser Effects (NOE), and 2D-NMR spectra, the full stereochemical structure of 4 is reported, and all the 1H and 13C signals are assigned. Compounds 1-4 were tested for their acaricidal properties against the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae. Our results showed excellent activity of compound 1, with an LD50 (µg/cm2) of 0.29 and a LD90 (µg/cm2) of 0.96, whereas compounds 2, 3, and 4 showed moderate activity. Furthermore, the acaricidal and cytotoxic properties of the crude extract were also investigated. Of note, after 96 h of exposure, the acaricidal activity of compound 1 was higher than that of the positive control, hexythiazox. Indeed, for compound 1, LD50 and LD90 were 0.29 and 0.96 µg/cm2, respectively, while hexythiazox LD50(90) was 18.7 (132.5) µg/cm2. Additionally, D. pancration extract, after 72 h, induced a high cytotoxic effect in HaCaT and THP-1 cell lines, with an IC50 of 7.37 ± 0.5 µg/mL and 3.50 ± 0.15 µg/mL, respectively. Overall, D. pancration can be considered as a green source of novel acaricides effective against mites of agricultural importance, such as T. urticae, pending proper field validation and the assessment of non-target effects on other invertebrate species.

Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Riutilizzo Bio Based Degli Scarti da Matrici Agroalimentari Università di Palermo Viale delle Scienze 90128 Palermo Italy

Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project School of Pharmacy University of Camerino Via Madonna delle Carceri 9 B 62032 Camerino Italy

Crop Research Institute Drnovska 507 161 06 Prague Czech Republic

Department of Agriculture Food and Environment University of Pisa Via del Borghetto 80 56124 Pisa Italy

Department of Plant Protection Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Kamycka 129 165 00 Prague Czech Republic

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche Università degli Studi di Palermo Viale delle Scienze 90128 Palermo Italy

School of Pharmacy University of Camerino Via Madonna delle Carceri 9 62032 Camerino Italy

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