Larvicidal activity of Juniperus procera extract against anopheles mosquito in in vitro, North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Mosquitoes are the major health threat as they transmit plasmodium parasites that cause malaria. Since mosquitoes developed resistances towards insecticides, investigators are searching for alternative control measures. Bioactive plant chemicals have been identified to serve as a defense mechanism against insects' larvae. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate larvicidal activities of Juniperus procera extracts in in vitro against 3rd to 4th instars larvae of Anopheles arabiensis. The leaves of the plant were collected from Fogera District and brought to Bahir Dar University where it was extracted with chloroform, petroleum ether, ethanol and acetone. The phytochemical screening was performed. A. arabiensis 3rd to 4th instar larvae were collected from Woreta town of Fogera District and bioassay was tested on 20 larvae at room temperature. Finally, the percentage mortality of larvae at 24, 48 and 72 h was calculated. The result showed that chloroform, petroleum ether, acetone and ethanol extracts of J. procera caused significant mortality of anopheles mosquito larvae (P=0.00). The mortality rate increased with the concentration of the extracts. Therefore, the study concluded that J. procera might be an alternative in mosquito control.

Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential

“…Larvicidal activity has been documented in extracts of conifer spp. parts [ 260 ]. The mosquito control technique is determined by the larval stages (egg, larvae, pupae, and adult) of the target.…”

“…These plant-oriented natural products are eco-friendly in nature and are preferred for use against larvae over other synthetic insecticides [ 262 ]. Based on mortality, the ethanol extract of J. procera and T. orientalis leaves has potential against Anopheles arabiensis , A. stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae [ 260 , 263 ]. It also has been found that C. sempervirens petroleum ether leaves extract shows a toxic effect on Musca domestica larva and also causes a decrease in the production of eggs and fecundity, as well as inducing sterility in both males and females [ 264 ].…”