Bioactive principle from Pentanema indicum against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus

Abstract

Mosquitoes wreak havoc in human lives as they are responsible for transmitting several diseases that are both life-threatening and fatal. In spite of all efforts to control the spread of mosquitoes and reducing their population, they are spreading widely and becoming more virulent. Some of the mosquito species have gained resistance to commercially available synthetic and chemical insecticides. Developing alternative natural insecticides is one of the most effective ways to combat vector mosquitoes. Secondary metabolites of plant origin are extensively used and come to the aid of humans. In the present study, the bioefficacy of Pentanema indicum is tested against immature stages of mosquitoes. Four extracts of P. indicum were employed for the larvicidal bioassay. Ethyl acetate extract possessed highest bioefficacy with LC₅₀ values of 24.253 ppm and 26.020 ppm followed by hexane extract with 216.853 ppm and 66.030 ppm, chloroform with 359.611 ppm and 114.793 ppm, methanol extract demonstrated 161.709 ppm and 874.258 ppm against Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus respectively. The chromatogram (GC-MS) of the active ethyl acetate extract contains 23 phyto principles and the major compound is 1,2,3-propanetriol, 1-acetate. This study reveals that P. indicum possesses great larvicidal potency against mosquitoes and it could be a promising plant to control the mosquito population.