HPTLC analysis of Scoparia dulcis Linn (Scrophulariaceae) and its larvicidal potential against dengue vector Aedes aegypti

This study evaluates the larvicidal activity of Scoparia dulcis aqueous extract against dengue vector and determines its major chemical components. The extract was tested at various concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 2 mg/mL against Aedes aegypti larvae. The extracts displayed significant larvicidal efficacy against Ae. aegypt species after 24 h exposure revealing LC₅₀ of 3.3835 (mg/mL) and LC₉₀ of 5.7578 (mg/mL). Finger printing profile carried out by CAMAG automatic TLC sample applicator programmed through WIN CATS software revealed peaks with different R_f values for three different volumes injected: 16, 15 and 18 peaks were spotted for 3, 6 and 9 μL, respectively. Ascending order of R_f values was also ascertained for each peak recorded. This study clearly signifies that S. dulcis extract contains numerous compounds that are known to have larvicidal properties which clearly substantiates its efficacy on Ae. aegypti larvae.     

Larvicidal potential of Juglans regia male flower against Anopheles stephensi,Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus

The diseases vectored by mosquitoes continue to be a main cause of illnesses and death throughout the world. The methanol extract of Juglans regia male flower was screened for larvicidal activity against three therapeutically important mosquito vectors viz., malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi; dengue vector, Aedes aegypti and the filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. The larvicidal activity was assayed against the early fourth-instar larvae of tested mosquito species at a concentration ranging from 12.5 to 200 ppm under laboratory conditions. The methanol extract recorded significant mortality against the early fourth-instar larvae of the tested species. After 12 and 24 h of exposure period, the highest effect was recorded in An. stephensi with LC₅₀ values of 139.87 and 59.80 ppm and LC₉₀ values of 288.96 and 166.73 ppm, respectively, followed by Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus. The results could be useful in search for newer, safer and more effective natural larvicidal agents.     

Poly(Styrene Sulfonate)/Poly(Allylamine Hydrochloride) Encapsulation of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles Boosts Their Toxic and Repellent Activity Against Zika Virus Mosquito Vectors

Green fabricated nanoparticles often need to be encapsulated and stabilized, to ensure uniform dispersion in the aquatic environment and relevant larvicidal activity over time. However, recent research showed that nanoencapsulation processes led to a reduction of nanoparticle larvicidal efficacy. We used an extract of Argemone mexicana to reduce TiO₂ nanoparticles, which were then capped with PSS/PAH (poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride)). The toxic and repellent potential of the nanoparticles were compared to elucidate their potential effects against the Zika virus vector Aedes aegypti. Nanoparticles were characterized by biophysical methods including UV–Vis, EDX and FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, XRD and DLS analyses. In larvicidal and pupicidal experiments, TiO₂ nanoparticles achieved LC₉₀ values from 41.648 (larva I), to 71.74 ppm (pupa). Nanoencapsulated TiO₂ achieved LC₉₀ values from 39.16 (I), to 69.12 ppm (pupa). In adulticidal experiments, LC₉₀ of TiO₂ nanoparticles on Ae. aegypti was 10.31 ppm, while LC₉₀ of nanoencapsulated TiO₂ was 9.54 ppm. At 10 ppm, the repellency towards Ae. aegypti was 80.43% for TiO₂ nanoparticles, and 88.04% for nanoencapsulated TiO₂. This research firstly highlighted the promising potential of PSS/PAH encapsulation, leading to the production of highly effective titania nanostructures, if compared to titania nanoparticles synthesized with eco-friendly routes without further stabilization.     

Aedes aegypti larvicide from the ethanolic extract of Piper nigrum black peppercorns

Due to unavailability of a vaccine and a specific cure to dengue, the focus nowadays is to develop an effective vector control method against the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. This study aims to determine the larvicidal fractions from Piper nigrum ethanolic extracts (PnPcmE) and to elucidate the identity of the bioactive compounds that comprise these larvicidal fractions. Larvicidal assay was performed by subjecting 3rd to 4th A. aegypti instar larvae to PnPcmE of P. nigrum. The PnPcmE exhibited potential larvicidal activity having an LC₅₀ of 7.1246 ± 0.1304 ppm (mean ± Std error). Normal phase vacuum liquid chromatography of the PnPcmE was employed which resulted in five fractions, two of which showed larvicidal activity. The most active of the PnPcmE fractions is PnPcmE-1A, with an LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ of 1.7101 ± 0.0491 ppm and 3.7078 ppm, respectively. Subsequent purification of PnPcmE-1A allowed the identification of the larvicidal compound as oleic acid.     

Insecticidal potential of Ocimum canum plant extracts against Anopheles stephensi,Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larval and adult mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquitoes have developed resistance to various synthetic insecticides, making their control increasingly difficult. Insecticides of botanical origin may serve as suitable natural control. This study evaluates the toxic potential of Ocimum canum (Sims) leaf extract and powder against Anopheles stephensi (Liston), Aedes aegypti (Lin) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) larval and adult mosquitoes. Larval mortality was observed after 24 h recovery period and adult smoke toxicity observed for 40 min duration at 10 min interval. Methanol extract of O. canum showed highest larval mortality against the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus LC₅₀ = 28.3225, LC₉₀ = 44.1150; Ae. aegypti LC₅₀ = 43.327, LC₉₀ = 61.249; and An. stephensi LC₅₀ = 30.2001, LC₉₀ = 48.2866 ppm. The smoke toxicities were 93% mortality in C. quinquefasciatus, 74% in Ae. aegypti and 79% in An. stephensi adults, respectively, whereas 100% mortality was recorded in the commercial mosquito control. Our results suggest that O. canum leaf extract and powder are natural insecticide, and ideal eco friendly approach for mosquito control.     

Larvicidal activity of plant extracts from Colombian North Coast against Aedes aegypti L. mosquito larvae

The Aedes aegypti L. mosquito is considered the most important vector of arboviruses in the world. Insecticide-resistant phenomenon is a difficult barrier to overcome for government health entities around the planet. This problem forces to increase the concentrations of insecticides in the environment causing environmental pollution and health threat to human beings. Plants have been used to combat pests for centuries and are an eco-friendly source for the search for molecules with larvicidal activity. In this work, 65 ethanol-soluble extracts from 56 plants of the Colombian Caribbean region were evaluated as potential larvicides against Aedes aegypti mosquito, as well as, for their toxic effects on non-target organism. A high larvicidal activity was found for 16 ethanol extracts, however, the most potent activity against the larvae was obtained for the five plant extracts corresponding to the seeds of Annona squamosa L., Annona cherimolia L., Annona muricata L., Tabernaemontana cymosa Jacq. and Mammea americana L., with LC₅₀ value of 58.44, 65.10, 84.92, 25.02 and 38.58 ppm, respectively. T. cymosa seeds extract was selected for bio-guided fractionation due to the high larvicidal activity showed. Through chromatographic techniques and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), five indole alkaloids were isolated and characterized from T. cymosa active fraction; among them, voacangine showed activity with a LC₅₀ of 5.13 ppm indicating a high larvicidal potency besides low toxicity against model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We also report a new indole alkaloid from T. cymosa. Our study demonstrated the potential of the Colombian Caribbean flora as a host of bioactive plants against important vectors such as the A. aegypti mosquito with potential use in controlled environments.     

Bioguided Phytochemical Study of Ipomoea cairica Extracts with Larvicidal Activity against Aedes aegypti

Vector-borne diseases, such as those transmitted by Aedes aegypti, are a constant threat to inhabitants of tropical regions of the planet. Synthetic chemicals are commonly used as a strategy to control them; however, these products are known to persist in ecosystems and drive the appearance of resistance genes in arthropod vectors. Thus, the use of natural products has emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative in integrated vector control strategies. The present bioguided study investigated the larvicidal potential of Ipomoea cairica extracts, fractionated using thin-layer and open-column chromatography, because this species has been shown to exert larvicidal effects on the genus Aedes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nonvolatile components in ethanolic extract of I. cairica stems as a potential natural larvicidal, and coumarins, such as 7-hydroxy-6-methoxychromen-2-one (scopoletin) and 7-hydroxychromen-2-one (umbelliferone), were identified as major compounds; however, they were not shown to be responsible for the larvicidal activity. Based on the results of the larvicidal action tests, these coumarins are not directly responsible for the larvicidal activity, but this activity might be attributed to a synergistic effect of all the compounds present in the most active secondary fraction, called F.DCM, which had an LC₅₀ value of 30.608 mg/L. This type of study has yet not been conducted in the region; therefore, it is an important contribution to recognizing a natural and easy-to-cultivate source of vector control, such I. cairica.     

Comparative efficacy of Eucalyptus globulus (Labill) hydrodistilled essential oil and temephos as mosquito larvicide

Abstract

In this study Eucalyptus globulus essential oil was tested on major mosquito species and toxicity was compared with temephos. Mortality was calculated after 24?h and 48?h post treatment. In 24?h treatment essential oil show strong larvicidal activity with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 30.198ppm, 103.389ppm for Anopheles stephensi, 13.578ppm, 106.755ppm for Aedes aegypti; and, 7.469ppm, 32.454ppm for Culex quinquefasciatus and 48?h post treatment LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were, 12.576, 49.380ppm for Anopheles stephensi, 7.926, 34.470ppm for Aedes aegypti and 4.408, 21.048ppm for Culex quinquefasciatus. Chemical composition of essential oil using GC-MS and FT-IR analysis shows the presence of 1,8-cineol, (71.7%); α-pinene, (9.14%) as a major compounds. Our findings suggest that essential oil from Eucalyptus globulus leaves can be used for control of mosquito larvae.     

Orchids as Sources of Novel Nanoinsecticides? Efficacy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus sphaericus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zeuxine gracilis</Emphasis>-Fabricated Silver Nanoparticles Against Dengue,Malaria and Filariasis Mosquito Vectors

Mosquitoes are the most critical group of insects in the context of public health, since they transmit key parasites and pathogens, causing millions of deaths annually. Insecticides from natural products may boost the effectiveness of vector control programs. In this study, we tested silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) fabricated using the leaf extract of the orchid Zeuxine gracilis as reducing agent, and the microbial pesticide Bacillus sphaericus, against the mosquitoes Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The synthesis of AgNP was confirmed analyzing the excitation of surface Plasmon resonance using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry. SEM and TEM showed the irregular shapes of AgNPs. EDX spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering analysis were carried out. AgNPs were highly effective against the larvae of An. stephensi (LC₅₀ = 8.48 µg/mL), Ae. aegypti (LC₅₀ = 10.39 µg/mL) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (LC₅₀ = 13.21 µg/mL), respectively. Combined treatments testing B. sphaericus with AgNPs were also effective against An. stephensi (LC₅₀ = 12.32 µg/mL), Ae. aegypti (LC₅₀ = 14.78 µg/mL) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (LC₅₀ = 19.19 µg/mL). Overall, this study suggests that the orchid-synthesized AgNPs can be a rapid, environmentally safer bio-pesticide to be used in synergy with B. sphaericus to control mosquito vectors.     

Larvicide Activity on Aedes aegypti of Essential Oil Nanoemulsion from the Protium heptaphyllum Resin

The aim of this work was to prepare a nanoemulsion containing the essential oil of Protium heptaphyllum resin and to evaluate the larvicidal activity and the residual larvicidal effect against Aedes aegypti. The essential oil was identified by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer, and the nanoemulsions were prepared using a low-energy method and characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy. The results indicated the major constituents as p-cimene (27.70%) and α-Pinene (22.31%). Nanoemulsions had kinetic stability and a monomodal distribution in a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of 14 with particle diameters of 115.56 ± 1.68 nn and zeta potential of −29.63 ± 3.46 mV. The nanoemulsion showed larvicidal action with LC₅₀ = 2.91 µg∙mL⁻¹ and residual larvicidal effect for 72 h after application to A. aegypti larvae. Consequently, the nanobiotechnological product derived from the essential oil of P. heptaphyllum resin could be used against infectious disease vectors.     

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC) for Biologically Active Green Tea and Fennel Natural Oils Delivery: Larvicidal and Adulticidal Activities against Culex pipiens

(1) Background: The control of mosquitoes with essential oils is a growing demand. (2) Methods: This study evaluated the novel larvicidal and adulticidal activity of fennel and green tea oils and their nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) against Culex pipiens (C. pipiens) in the laboratory, field conditions and evaluated their effect against non-target organisms. SLN type II nanoformulations were synthesized and characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential and transmission electron microscope. (3) Results: The synthesized NLCs showed spherical shaped, homogenous, narrow, and monomodal particle size distribution. The mortality percent (MO%) post-treatment (PT) with 2000 ppm for 24 h with fennel oil and NLC fennel (NLC-F) reached 85% (LC₅₀ = 643.81 ppm) and 100% (LC₅₀ = 251.71), whereas MO% for green tea oil and NLC green tea (NLC-GT) were 80% (LC₅₀ = 746.52 ppm) and 100% (LC₅₀ = 278.63 ppm), respectively. Field trial data showed that the larval reduction percent of fennel oil and NLC-F reached 89.8% and 97.4%, 24 h PT and the reduction percent of green tea oil and NLC-GT reached 89% and 93%, 24 h PT with persistence reached 8 and 7 days, for NLC-F and NLC-GT, respectively. The adulticidal effects showed that NLC-F and NLC-GT (100% mortality) were more effective than fennel and green tea oils (90.0% and 83.33%), with 24 h PT, respectively. Moreover, their reduction of adult density after spraying with LC₉₅ X2 for 15 min, with fennel oil, NLC-F, and green tea oil, NLC-GT were 83.6%, 100%, 79.1%, and 100%, respectively, with persistence (>50%) lasting for three days. The predation rate of the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, and the bug, Sphaerodema urinator, was not affected in both oil and its NLC, while the predation rate of the beetle, Cybister tripunctatus increased (66% and 68.3%) by green tea oil and NLC-GT, respectively. (4) Conclusions: NLCs nanoformulation encapsulated essential oils was prepared successfully with unique properties of size, morphology, and stability. In vitro larvicidal and adulticidal effects against C. pipiens supported with field evaluations have been performed using essential oils and their nanoformulations. The biological evaluation of nanoformulations manifested potential results toward both larvicidal and adulticidal compared to the essential oils themselves, especially NLC encapsulated fennel oil which had promising larvicidal and adulticidal activity.     

Essential oil and fractions isolated of Laurel to control adults and larvae of cattle ticks

Abstract

This study, was to evaluate the acaricidal effect of the essential oil (EO) and fractions (FR) obtained from Laurus nobilis leaves on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Eight fractions were obtained, however FR1: sabinene (37.83%), β-pinene (13.50%), 1,8-cineole (12.66%), α-pinene (12.56%) and FR8: α-terpineol (79.19%) were highlighted as to the larvicidal potential when submitted by Larval Packet Test. The EO was tested by the Adult Immersion Test, at concentrations of 200.00; 100.00 and 50.00?µL/mL caused mortality of engorged females, egg mass reduction and hatching inhibition. Two fractions are shown to be efficient in controlling larvae FR8 (LC₅₀?=?0.13?µL/mL, LC₉₉?=?0.51?µL/mL) and FR1 (LC₅₀?=?0.20?µL/mL, LC₉₉?=?0.56?µL/mL). The fractionation of EO was determinant to elucidate which compounds were responsible for the larvicidal potential. This study opens new perspectives to direct new bioassays with the compounds obtained in the fractionation, since they present high potential on cattle tick larvae.     

Biological Applications of Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles Using Pleurotus djamor Against Mosquito Larvicidal,Histopathology, Antibacterial,Antioxidant and Anticancer Effect

The present study pertained to biosynthesis, characterization and biomedical application (larvicidal, histopathology, antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer activity) of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) from Pleurotus djamor. The synthesized NPs were characterized using spectral and microscopic analyses and further confirmed by UV–Visible spectrophotometer with apeak of 350 nm. The ZnONPs showed strong antioxidant property (DPPH, H₂O₂ and ABTS⁺ radical assay) and expressed good larval toxicity against Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus (IVth instar larvae) with the least LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values (10.1, 25.6 and 14.4, 31.7 mg/l) after 24 h treatment, respectively. We noticed the morphological changes (damaged anal papillae area and the cuticle layers) in the treated larvae. For the antibacterial assay, the highest growth inhibition zone was recorded in C. diphteriae (28.6?±?0.3 mm), followed by P. fluorescens (27?±?0.5 mm) and S. aureus (26.6?±?1.5 mm). The in vitro cytotoxicity assay depicted a significant level of cytotoxic effects (LC₅₀ values 42.26 μg/ml) of ZnONPs against the A549 lung cancer cells, even at low dose. The overall findings of the study suggest that P. djamor had the ability for the biosynthesis of ZnONPs and could act as an alternative biomedical agent for future therapeutic applications in medical avenues.

     

Screening of Rubiaceae and Apocynaceae extracts for mosquito larvicidal potential

Rubiaceae and Apocynaceae families are well known for the expression of cyclotides having insecticidal properties. Leaves and flowers extracts of plants from the families Rubiaceae (Ixora coccinea) and Apocynaceae (Allamanda violacea) were evaluated for mosquito larvicidal effect against early IVth instars of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi. Two forms of plant extracts, one untreated and the other treated with heat and proteolytic enzyme were used for assay. After primary assay, the extract showing more than 50% inhibition was further used for quantification purpose. LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of all the extracts were found to be reduced with the treated form. Phytochemical analysis of plant extracts was performed. Primary confirmation for the presence of cyclotides was done by Lowry test, thin layer chromatography and haemolytic assay. This novel approach merits use of plant extracts in mosquito control programmes.     

Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of Zanthoxylum armatum against diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) is the most serious pest of cruciferous crops grown in the world causing economic yield loss. Several synthetic insecticides have been used against P. xylostella but satisfactory control was not achieved due to development of resistance to insecticides. Therefore, the present study was carried out to screen different fractions of Zanthoxylum armatum for their insecticidal activities against second instar larvae of P. xylostella. Results indicate, all the fractions showed activity to P. xylostella. However, n-hexane fraction of Z. armatum showed maximum larvicidal activity with minimum LC₅₀ value of 2988.6 ppm followed by ethanol (LC₅₀ = 12779.7 ppm) and methanol fraction (LC₅₀ = 12908.8 ppm) whereas chloroform fraction was least toxic (LC₅₀ = 16750.6 ppm). The GC–MS analysis of n-hexane fraction of leaf extract showed maximum larvicidal activity, which may be due to two major compounds i.e. 2-undecanone (19.75%) and 2-tridecanone (11.76%).     

Synthesis and bioactivity of O‐ethyl phosphorodiamidates derived from quinazolin‐4‐ones and either amino acid esters or fatty amines

Synthesis of several O‐ethyl phos‐phorodiamidates derived from unsubstituted, or 6‐bromo‐, or 6‐nitro‐3‐amino‐2‐methyl‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐one and either amino acid esters or fatty amines is described. These compounds showed high insecticidal activity toward mosquito larvae, with lethal concentrations LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ as low as 0.028 and 1.724 ppm, respectively. The highest activity was observed with those compounds containing both a nitro substituent and a 10‐carbon‐atom fatty‐amine moiety. Multiple regression analysis was used to explain the larvicidal activity variation of these compounds. The larvicidal activity generally decreased according to the following order of amino acid moieties: glutamic acid > methionine > glycine > alanine > phenylalanine. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 10: 455–460, 1999     

Insecticidal Activity and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Isolated Phytoconstituents from the Saudi Plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.)

Chromatographic purification of the alcoholic extract from the aerial parts of the Saudi plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.), Benth., resulted in five isolated phenolic compounds. Two flavones, hispidulin (1) and jaceosidin (2), and the phenylethanoid glycosides, verbascoside (3), isoverbascoside (4), and conandroside (5), were identified and their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. The insecticidal activity of compounds 1 and 2, in addition to 11 compounds isolated in a previous research (6–16), was evaluated against the Yellow Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Four compounds displayed adulticidal activity with LD₅₀ values of 2–2.3 μg/mosquito. Free radical scavenging properties of the plant extracts and compounds (1–5) were evaluated by measuring the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical cation (ABTS^•+) scavenging activity. All compounds exhibited notable activity, compared with the positive control, l-Ascorbic acid. This study suggests that N. oppositifolia could be a promising source of secondary metabolites, some with lethal adulticidal effect against Ae. aegypti.     

Combination of GC-MS Molecular Networking and Larvicidal Effect against Aedes aegypti for the Discovery of Bioactive Substances in Commercial Essential Oils

Dengue is a neglected disease, present mainly in tropical countries, with more than 5.2 million cases reported in 2019. Vector control remains the most effective protective measure against dengue and other arboviruses. Synthetic insecticides based on organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, neonicotinoids and oxadiazines are unattractive due to their high degree of toxicity to humans, animals and the environment. Conversely, natural-product-based larvicides/insecticides, such as essential oils, present high efficiency, low environmental toxicity and can be easily scaled up for industrial processes. However, essential oils are highly complex and require modern analytical and computational approaches to streamline the identification of bioactive substances. This study combined the GC-MS spectral similarity network approach with larvicidal assays as a new strategy for the discovery of potential bioactive substances in complex biological samples, enabling the systematic and simultaneous annotation of substances in 20 essential oils through LC₅₀ larvicidal assays. This strategy allowed rapid intuitive discovery of distribution patterns between families and metabolic classes in clusters, and the prediction of larvicidal properties of acyclic monoterpene derivatives, including citral, neral, citronellal and citronellol, and their acetate forms (LC₅₀ < 50 µg/mL).