Laboratory evaluation of traditionally used plant-based insect repellent against the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

A laboratory study was carried out to evaluate the repellent efficacy of a methanol-leaf extract of Ethiopian traditionally used insect repellent plant viz., Lomi sar [vernacular name (local native language, Amharic); Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. (Poaceae)] against Anopheles arabiensis at four different concentrations viz., 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mg/cm(2). The percentage protection in relation to the dose method was performed. C. citratus extract has shown various degrees of repellency impact against A. arabiensis. It provided the maximum total percentage protection of 78.83% at 2.5 mg/cm(2) and followed 68.06% at 2.0 mg/cm(2) for 12 h. All four tested concentrations of C. citratus extract offered significant protection and Student's t test results shows statistically significant (p value = 0.001) [1.0 mg/cm(2) (t = 22.89; df = 4); 1.5 mg/cm(2) (t = 24.03; df = 4); 2.0 mg/cm(2) (t = 36.92; df = 4); 2.5 mg/cm(2) (t = 22.31; df = 4)] difference between treated and control groups. The result suggests that it could serve as a potent insect repellent against vectors of disease. Globally, C. citratus is renowned for its therapeutic values. Above and beyond, due to its user- as well as environmental-friendly nature, it should be promoted among the marginalized populations in order to reduce man-vector contact. In addition, this appropriate strategy affords the opportunity to minimize chemical repellent usage and the risks associated with adverse side effects. At the end of the day, traditionally used plant-based insect repellents could be viable safer alternative sources for chemical insect repellents.

Anti-malarial herbal remedies of northeast India, Assam: An ethnobotanical survey

“…In most household studied, the children's (aged between 1 and 3 years) were given priority in using mosquito nets because of the fact that the disease symptoms of the kids are difficult to understand and follow up medical treatment. Indigenous repelling methods adapted by the local community include smoke production by burning the plant parts, growing of the plant species (Azadirachta indica, Annona squamosa, Artemisia vulgaris, Cymbopogon citratus, Lantana camara, Ocimum sanctum, and Vitex peduncularis) nearby residential area or settlement area, and polishing of house floor with leaf plant extracts obtained from the species of Azadirachta (Sharma et al, 1993a,b), Artemisia (Yit et al, 1985), Lantana (Dua et al, 1996), Ocimum , and Cymbopogon (Karunamoorthi et al, 2010) was routinely done to drive away mosquitoes and other insect's flies and they are commonly used as insect repellent against the mosquito vectors (see Table 2). …”

Ethnomedicinal knowledge, belief and self-reported practice of local inhabitants on traditional antimalarial plants and phytotherapy

“…Major victims for these malicious killers are the poorest resourceconstrained countries like Ethiopia (Karunamoorthi et al, 2010b). As a result, at the moment, there is growing acceptance and keen interest towards traditional medicines observed worldwide.…”

Studies on larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Leucas aspera Willd. (Lamiaceae) and bacterial insecticide, Bacillus sphaericus, against malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston. (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…The LC 50 values of chloroform extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaves were 303.2, 518.2, and 420.2 ppm against A. aegypti, A. stephensi, and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. Karunamoorthi et al (2010) reported that the percentage protection in relation to the dose method was performed. C. citratus extract has shown various degrees of repellency impact against Anopheles arabiensis.…”