Insecticidal activities of leaf essential oils from Cinnamomum osmophloeum against three mosquito species

The larvicidal activities of leaf essential oils and their constituents from six chemotypes of indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh.) trees were evaluated against three mosquito species. Results of larvicidal tests demonstrated that the leaf essential oils of cinnamaldehyde type and cinnamaldehyde/cinnamyl acetate type had an excellent inhibitory effect against Aedes albopictus larvae, and their LC(50) values in 24h were 40.8 microg/ml (LC(90)=81.7 microg/ml) and 46.5 microg/ml (LC(90)=83.3 microg/ml), respectively. Results of the 24-h mosquito larvicidal assays also showed that the effective constituents in leaf essential oils were trans-cinnamaldehyde and benzaldehyde and that the LC(50) values of these constituents against A. albopictus larvae were below 50 mug/ml. In addition, cinnamaldehyde type leaf essential oil and trans-cinnamaldehyde have also exhibited great larvicidal performance against Culex quinquefasciatus and Armigeres subalbatus larvae. Comparisons of mosquito larvicidal activity of trans-cinnamaldehyde congeners revealed that alpha-methyl cinnamaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and trans-cinnamaldehyde exhibited strong mosquito larvicidal activity.     

Variations in insecticidal activity and chemical compositions of leaf essential oils from Cryptomeria japonica at different ages

The larvicidal effects of the essential oils extracted from the leaves of Cryptomeria japonica at different ages (58, 42, and 26 years old) against 2 mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, were studied. The analysis of major constituents of these essential oils was also investigated. Results obtained from the larvicidal tests, using essential oil from the leaves of 58-year-old C. japonica was found to be most effective against both A. aegypti and A. albopictus larvae, indicating tree age has significant influence on mosquito larvicidal activity. In addition, the eleven pure constituents from C. japonica leaf essential oil were also tested individually against the two mosquito larvae. Among them, alpha-terpinene, gamma-terpinene, p-cymene, 3-carene, terpinolene, and beta-myrcene shows strong larvicidal effect against the two mosquito larvae. Among these pure constituents, 3-carene exhibits the best larvicidal effect against A. aegypti and terpinolene shows an excellent inhibitory action against A. albopictus larvae. The results of this study show that the leaf essential oil and its effective constituents might be considered as a potent source for the production of fine natural larvicides.     

Larvicidal activity of tectoquinone isolated from red heartwood-type Cryptomeria japonica against two mosquito species

Mosquito larvicidal activities of methanolic extracts from different plant parts of red heartwood-type Cryptomeria japonica D. Don against the fourth-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were examined. Results of mosquito larvicidal tests demonstrated that the n-hexane fraction of C. japonica sapwood methanolic extract had an excellent inhibitory effect against the larvae of A. aegypti and A. albopictus and its LC50 values were 2.4 and 3.3 microg/ml, respectively, in 24h. Following the bioactivity-guided fractionation procedure, the active constituent isolated from C. japonica sapwood was characterized as tectoquinone by spectroscopic analyses. The LC50 values of tectoquinone against A. aegypti and A. albopictus in 24h were 3.3 and 5.4 microg/ml, respectively. In addition, comparisons of mosquito larvicidal activity of anthraquinone congeners demonstrated that anthraquinone skeleton with a methyl group at C-2 position, such as tectoquinone, exhibited the strongest mosquito larvicidal activity. Results of this study show that the methanolic extract of C. japonica sapwood may be considered as a potent source and tectoquinone as a new natural mosquito larvicidal agent.     

Insecticidal, repellent and oviposition-deterrent activity of selected essential oils against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus

Essential oils extracted from 10 medicinal plants were evaluated for larvicidal, adulticidal, ovicidal, oviposition-deterrent and repellent activities towards three mosquito species; Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The essential oils of Juniperus macropoda and Pimpinella anisum were highly effective as both larvicidal and ovicidal. The essential oil of P. anisum showed toxicity against 4th instar larvae of A. stephensi and A. aegypti with equivalent LD95 values of 115.7 microg/ml, whereas it was 149.7 microg/ml against C. quinquefasciatus larvae. Essential oils of Zingiber officinale and Rosmarinus officinalis were found to be ovicidal and repellent, respectively towards the three mosquito species. The essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum resulted into highest repellent (RD95) values of 49.6, 53.9 and 44.2 mg/mat against A. stephensi, A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively apart from oviposition-deterrent potential.     

Composition and larvicidal activity of leaves and stem essential oils of Chloroxylon swietenia DC against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi

The laboratory bioassay of the essential oil and the isolated compounds from Chloroxylon swietenia against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi was carried out to evaluate the larvicidal activity. LC50 value estimated for A. aegypti and An. stephensi were 16.5 and 14.9 microg/ml and 20.2 and 19 microg/ml for leaf and stem oils, respectively. The three sesquiterpenes pregeijerene, geijerene and germacrene D were isolated and their Larvicidal activity was evaluated. Pregeijerene and geijerene were observed for the first time in the volatile constituents of C. swietenia, however, leaves contained higher amount of geijerene compared to stems.     

Larvicidal activities against Aedes aegypti of some Brazilian medicinal plants

Larvicidal activities against Aedes aegypti have been determined in the ethanolic extracts obtained from 51 Brazilian medicinal plants. Eleven of the 84 extracts studied showed significant (LC50 < 100 microg mL(-1)) activities against larvae, with extracts from Annona crassiflora (root bark, LC50 = 0.71 microg mL(-1); root wood, LC50 = 8.94 microg mL(-1)) and Annona glabra (seed, LC50 = 0.06 microg mL(-1)) showing the highest activities. The results obtained should be of value in the search for new natural larvicidal compounds.     

Chemical composition and anti-mosquito potential of rhizome extract and volatile oil derived from Curcuma aromatica against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Crude rhizome extracts and volatile oils of Curcuma aromatica were evaluated for chemical composition and anti-mosquito potential, including larvicidal, adulticidal, and repellent activities against the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Chemical identification achieved by GC/MS analysis revealed that xanthorrhizol, 1H-3a, 7-methanoazulene and curcumene at 35.08 and 13.65%, 21.81 and 30.02%, and 13.75 and 25.71%, were the main constituents in hexane extracts and volatile oils, respectively. Volatile oil of Cu. aromatica possessed a significantly higher larvicidal activity against the 4th instar larvae of Ae. aegypti than that of hexane extracts, with LC50 values of 36.30 and 57.15 ppm, respectively. In testing for adulticidal activity, on the other hand, hexane-extracted Cu. aromatica (LC50: 1.60 microg/mg female) was found to be slightly more effective against female Ae. aegypti than volatile oil (LC50: 2.86 microg/mg female). However, the repellency of these two products against Ae. aegypti adult females differed significantly. The hexane-extracted Cu. aromatica, with a median complete protection time of 1 h (range = 1-1.5 h) when applied at a concentration of 25%, appeared to have significantly higher repellency than that of distillate oil (0.5 h, range = 0-0.5 h). The different results obtained from both products of Cu. aromatica were probably due to variety in quantity and type of active ingredients as well as the biological and physiological characteristics that differed between both developmental stages of mosquitoes, larvae, and adults.     

Chemical compositions and larvicidal activities of leaf essential oils from two eucalyptus species

In the current study, the mosquito larvicidal activity of leaf essential oils and their constituents from two eucalyptus species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus urophylla) against two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, was investigated. In addition, the chemical compositions of the leaf essential oils were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results from the larvicidal tests revealed that essential oil from the leaves of E. camaldulensis had an excellent inhibitory effect against both A. aegypti and A. albopictus larvae. The 12 pure constituents extracted from the two eucalyptus leaf essential oils were also tested individually against two mosquito larvae. Among the six effective constituents, alpha-terpinene exhibits the best larvicidal effect against both A. aegypti and A. albopictus larvae. Results of this study show that the leaf essential oil of E. camaldulensis and its effective constituents might be considered as a potent source for the production of fine natural larvicides.     

Larvicidal activity of essential oils from Brazilian plants against Aedes aegypti L

Aedes aegypti L. is the major vector of dengue fever, an endemic disease in Brazil. In an effort to find effective and affordable ways to control this mosquito, the larvicidal activities of essential oils from nine plants widely found in the Northeast of Brazil were analyzed by measurement of their LC50. The essential oils were extracted by steam distillation and their chemical composition determined by GL-chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy. The essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus and Lippia sidoides, reported in the literature to have larvicidal properties against A. aegypti, were used for activity comparison. The results show that Ocimum americanum and Ocimum gratissimum have LC50 of 67 ppm and 60 ppm respectively, compared to 63 ppm for L. sidoides and 69 ppm for C. citratus. These results suggest a potential utilization of the essential oil of these two Ocimum species for the control of A. aegypti.     

Effects of essential oils on Aedes aegypti larvae: alternatives to environmentally safe insecticides

The essential oils from leaves of Hyptis fruticosa (Lamiaceae) Salzm., H. pectinata (Lamiaceae) Poit., and Lippia gracilis (Verbenaceae) HBK were investigated for their larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and analyzed by GC/MS. Fifty-nine compounds, representing 91.28-98.39% of the essential oils, have been identified. A standard solution was used to make 20 mL solutions ranging from 30 to 2000 ppm. Twenty larvae between third and fourth stages were added to the essential oil solution. A mortality count was conducted 24 h after treatment. Essential oils LC50 and their confidence limits at 95% probability were calculated by the methods of Reed-Muench and Pizzi, respectively. The essential oil of Lippia gracilis showed potent insecticidal effect against Aedes aegypti larvae, the vector of dengue fever. Carvacrol and caryophyllene oxide were the main responsible for the activity of L. gracilis and H. pectinata. Minor compounds are probably acting synergistically to achieve H. fruticosa activity.     

Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from Schizonepeta tenuifolia against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae)

Plant essential oils from 21 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against larvae of Lycoriella ingenua Dufour (Diptera: Sciaridae) by using a fumigation bioassay. Good insecticidal activity against larvae of L. ingenua was achieved with essential oils of Acorus gramineus Solander, Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briquet, and Zanthoxylum piperitum De Candolle at 25 microg/ml air. S. tenuifolia oil showed the most potent insecticidal activity among the plant essential oils. At 12.5 microg/ml air concentration, S. tenuifolia oil caused 96.6% mortality, but mortality decreased to 60% at 3.125 microg/ml air. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to identification of three major compounds from S. tenuifolia oil. These three compounds were tested individually for their insecticidal activities against larvae of L. ingenua and compared with the toxicity of dichlorvos. Pulegone was the most toxic, followed by menthone and limonene with LC50 values of 1.21, 6.03, and 15.42 microg/ml, respectively. LC50 of dichlorvos was 8.13 microg/ml. Effects of S. tenuifolia and its components on growth of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer also were investigated.     

In vitro cytotoxicity studies of 20 plants used in Nigerian antimalarial ethnomedicine.

Twenty plants identified and selected from Southwest and Middle belt Nigerian antimalarial ethnopharmacology were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity using the brine shrimp lethality assay. The methanol extracts of 20 plant samples from 11 plant families were subjected to the assay. Of the studied plants, Lippia multiflora and Morinda lucida bark were found to be cytotoxic, with LC(50) values of 1.1 and 2.6 microg/ml, respectively. The least toxic plant extract was Bridelia micrantha (LC(50) value >9.0 x 10(6) microg/ml). Most of the plants were found to be relatively non-toxic.     

Ovicidal and larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes of essential oils extracted from three spontaneous plants of Burkina Faso

Essential oils extracted from dried leaves of three spontaneous plants naturally growing in Burkina Faso, i.e. Cymbopogon proximus, Lippia multiflora and Ocimum canum, exhibited larvicidal activity by the WHO standard protocol against 3rd and 4th instar F1-larvae of field-collected mosquitoes vectors of human disease, namely Aedes aegypti and members of the Anopheles gambiae complex, An. arabiensis and An. gambiae. The median lethal concentration (LC50) for Ae. aegypti and An. gambiae s.l. larvae ranged between 53.5-258.5 ppm and 61.9-301.6 ppm, respectively. The LC90 estimates ranged 74.8-334.8 ppm for Ae. aegypti, and 121.6-582.9 ppm for An. gambiae s.l. Ovicidal activity against eggs of An. gambiae s.l. was also demonstrated. The LC50 values for An. gambiae s.l. eggs ranged between 17.1-188.7 ppm, while LC90 values ranged between 33.5-488 ppm. Lippia multiflora showed the highest activity against An. gambiae s.l. eggs and Ae. aegypti larvae, whereas no difference was found among C. proximus and L. multiflora in their activity against An. gambiae s.l. larvae. Of the three plants, essential oils from O. canum had the lowest activity against both eggs and larvae. Eggs were more susceptible than larvae. Ae. aegypti larvae were more susceptible than larvae of An. gambiae s.l.     

Larvicidal activity of major essential oils from stems of Allium monanthum Maxim. against Aedes aegypti L

The stems of Allium monanthum were extracted, and the major essential oil composition and larvicidal effects were studied. The analyses were conducted by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy revealed that the essential oils of A. monanthum stems. The A. monanthum essential oil yield was 4.25%, and gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis revealed that its major constituents were dimethyl trisulfide (23.21%), dimethyl tetrasulfide (11.24%) and methlyl propyl trisulfide (8.21%). The essential oil had a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L with an LC(50) value of 23.14 ppm and an LC(90) value of 36.31 ppm. Also, dimethyl trisulfide (≥95.0%), dimethyl tetrasulfide (≥95.0%) and methlyl propyl trisulfide (≥95.0%) were tested against the F(21) laboratory strain of A. aegypti. Methlyl propyl trisulfide (≥95.0%) has good activity with an LC(50) value of 19.38 ppm. Also, the above indicates that other major compounds may play a more important role in the toxicity of essential oil.     

Derris (Lonchocarpus) urucu (Leguminosae) extract modifies the peritrophic matrix structure of Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae)

Aqueous suspension of ethanol extracts of Derris (Lonchocarpus) urucu (Leguminosae), collected in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, were tested for larvicidal activity against the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae). The aim of this study was to observe the alterations of peritrophic matrix in Ae. aegypti larvae treated with an aqueous suspension of D. urucu extract. Different concentrations of D. urucu root extract were tested against fourth instar larvae. One hundred percent mortality was observed at 150 microg/ml (LC(50) 17.6 microg/ml) 24 h following treatment. In response to D. urucu feeding, larvae excreted a large amount of amorphous feces, while control larvae did not produce feces during the assay period. Ultrastructural studies showed tha larvae fed with 150 microg/ml of D. urucu extract for 4 h have an imperfect peritrophic matrix and extensive damage of the midgut epithelium. Data indicate a protective role for the peritrophic matrix. The structural modification of the peritrophic matrix is intrinsically associated with larval mortality.     

The Essential Oil Compositions of Ocimum basilicum from Three Different Regions: Nepal,Tajikistan, and Yemen

The aerial parts of Ocimum basilicum L. were collected from four different geographical locations, Sindhuli and Biratnagar (Nepal), Chormaghzak village (Tajikistan), and Sana'a (Yemen). The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A cluster analysis of 179 essential oil compositions revealed six major chemotypes: Linalool, eugenol, estragole, methyl eugenol, 1,8‐cineole, and geraniol. All four of the basil oils in this study were of the linalool‐rich variety. Some of the basil oils were screened for bioactivity including antimicrobial, cytotoxicity in human cancer cells, brine shrimp lethality, nematicidal, larvicidal, insecticidal, and antioxidant. The basil oils in this study were not notably antibacterial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, nor nematicidal, but were active in the brine shrimp lethality test, and did show larvicidal and insecticidal activities.     

Larvicidal activity of lectins from Myracrodruon urundeuva on Aedes aegypti

Aedes aegypti transmits etiologic agents of yellow fever and dengue. Vaccine for dengue virus is not available and vector control is essential to minimize dengue incidence. This report deals with the larvicidal activity of lectins isolated from Myracrodruon urundeuva bark (MuBL) and heartwood (MuHL). The lectins were isolated by ammonium sulphate treatment of crude extracts followed by chromatography on chitin. MuBL and MuHL were evaluated by electrophoresis under native (PAGE) and denaturing conditions (SDS-PAGE). Carbohydrate specificity of lectins was evaluated by hemagglutinating activity (HA) inhibition assay using N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and by affinity chromatography on N-acetyl-D-glucosamine immobilized in agarose gel. Larvicidal activity against A. aegypti was investigated with the extracts, salt fractions and isolated lectins. MuBL and MuHL were characterized by PAGE as basic proteins of molecular masses of 14.0 and 14.4 kDa, respectively. The interaction of lectins with N-acetylglucosamine was detected by inhibition of HA by monosaccharide and lectin adsorptions on N-acetyl-D-glucosamine matrix. All M. urundeuva preparations promoted larvae mortality. LC16, LC50 and LC84 values of 0.077, 0.125, 0.173 for MuBL and 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 mg/mL for MuHL were obtained. To our knowledge this is the first report of larvicidal activity of lectins against A. aegypti.     

Larvicidal activity of Tagetes patula essential oil against three mosquito species

Larvicidal activity of Tagetes patula essential oil was tested against the fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefaciatus. Five different concentrations of essential oil were studied and the results were compared with that of synthetic insecticide, malathion. A. aegypti (LC(50) 13.57, LC(90) 37.91) was most susceptible followed by An. stephensi (LC(50) 12.08, LC(90) 57.62) and C. quinquefaciatus (LC(50) 22.33, LC(90) 71.89).     

Anti-termitic activities of essential oils from coniferous trees against Coptotermes formosanus

In this study, the anti-termitic activities of 11 essential oils from three species of coniferous tree against Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki were investigated using direct contact application. Results demonstrated that at the dosage of 10 mg/g, the heartwood and sapwood essential oils of Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana and Cryptomeria japonica and the leaf essential oil of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana had 100% mortality after 5 d of test. Among the tested essential oils, the heartwood essential oil of C. macrolepis var. formosana killed all termites after 1 d of test, with an LC(50) value of 2.6 mg/g, exhibiting the strongest termiticidal property. The termiticidal effect of heartwood essential oil was due to its toxicity and its repellent action.     

Larvicidal activity of essential oils extracted from commonly used herbs in Lebanon against the seaside mosquito, Ochlerotatus caspius

This study investigates the potential of essential oils from commonly used medical and culinary herbs in Lebanon as an environmentally safe measure to control the seaside mosquito, Ochlerotatus caspius. The composition of essential oils extracted from parsley seeds and leaves, alpine thyme inflorescences, anis seeds, and coriander fruits were analyzed by GC-MS, and the major components of these oils were found to be thymol, sabinene, carvacrol, anethole, and linalool, respectively. Mosquito larvicidal assays were conducted to evaluate the LC(50) and LC(90) after 24 and 48h of the essential oils and their major constituents. All of the tested oils proved to have strong larvicidal activity (LC(50): 15-156ppm) against Oc. caspius fourth instars, with the most potent oil being thyme inflorescence extract, followed by parsley seed oil, aniseed oil, and then coriander fruit oil. Toxicity of each oil major constituent was also estimated and compared to a reported larvicidal compound, eugenol.