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Larvicidal activity of Saraca indica, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, and Clitoria ternatea extracts against three mosquito vector species

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Abstract

Screening of natural products for mosquito larvicidal activity against three major mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles stephensi resulted in the identification of three potential plant extracts viz., Saraca indica/asoca, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, and Clitoria ternatea for mosquito larval control. In the case of S. indica/asoca, the petroleum ether extract of the leaves and the chloroform extract of the bark were effective against the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus with respective LC50 values 228.9 and 291.5 ppm. The LC50 values of chloroform extract of N. arbor-tristis leaves were 303.2, 518.2, and 420.2 ppm against A. aegypti, A. stephensi, and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. The methanol and chloroform extracts of flowers of N. arbor-tristis showed larvicidal activity against larvae of A. stephensi with the respective LC50 values of 244.4 and 747.7 ppm. Among the methanol extracts of C. ternatea leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds, the seed extract was effective against the larvae of all the three species with LC50 values 65.2, 154.5, and 54.4 ppm, respectively, for A. stephensi, A. aegypti, and C. quinquefasciatus. Among the three plant species studied for mosquito larvicidal activity, C. ternatea was showing the most promising mosquito larvicidal activity. The phytochemical analysis of the promising methanolic extract of the seed extract was positive for carbohydrates, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, and proteins. In conclusion, bioassay-guided fractionation of effective extracts may result in identification of a useful molecule for the control of mosquito vectors.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. P. Jambulingam, The Director, Vector Control Research Centre, Pondicherry for the facilities provided and Dr. S. Sabesan, The Chief, HRD division for encouragement. The technical assistance rendered by the staff of Unit of Chemistry is also gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR), Indira Nagar, Pondicherry, 605006, India

    Nisha Mathew, M. G. Anitha, T. S. L. Bala, S. M. Sivakumar, R. Narmadha & M. Kalyanasundaram

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  1. Nisha Mathew
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  2. M. G. Anitha
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  3. T. S. L. Bala
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  4. S. M. Sivakumar
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  6. M. Kalyanasundaram
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Correspondence to Nisha Mathew.

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Mathew, N., Anitha, M.G., Bala, T.S.L. et al. Larvicidal activity of Saraca indica, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, and Clitoria ternatea extracts against three mosquito vector species. Parasitol Res 104, 1017–1025 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-1284-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-1284-x

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