Flavone (2-phenyl chromone) is a well-known plant flavonoid, but its bioactivity has been little explored. Treatment of Caenorhabditis elegans or C. brissage with flavones induced embryonic and larval lethality that was pronounced in early larval stages. This anti-nematodal effect was also observed in the pinewood nematode, B. xylophilus. LD50 values were approximately 100 mM for both B. xylophilus and C. elegans. Our results indicate that flavone is an active nematicidal compound that should be further investigated with the aim of developing a potent drug against B. xylophilus.

Keywords: Anti-Nematodal activity, bursaphelenchus xylophilus, caenorhabditis elegans, caenorhabditis briggsae, embryonic lethality, flavone (2-phenyl chromone), larval lethality