Prospects for malaria control through manipulation of mosquito larval habitats and olfactory-mediated behavioural responses using plant-derived compounds

Abstract

Malaria presents an overwhelming public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where vector favourable conditions and poverty prevail, potentiating the disease burden. Behavioural variability of malaria vectors poses a great challenge to existing vector control programmes with insecticide resistance already acquired to nearly all available chemical compounds. Thus, approaches incorporating plant-derived compounds to manipulate semiochemical-mediated behaviours through disruption of mosquito olfactory sensory system have considerably gained interests to interrupt malaria transmission cycle. The combination of push-pull methods and larval control have the potential to reduce malaria vector populations, thus minimising the risk of contracting malaria especially in resource-constrained communities where access to synthetic insecticides is a challenge. In this review, we have compiled information regarding the current status of knowledge on manipulation of larval ecology and chemical-mediated behaviour of adult mosquitoes with plant-derived compounds for controlling mosquito populations. Further, an update on the current advancements in technologies to improve longevity and efficiency of these compounds for field applications has been provided.

A Review of Resistance Mechanisms of Synthetic Insecticides and Botanicals, Phytochemicals, and Essential Oils as Alternative Larvicidal Agents Against Mosquitoes

“…With the development of resistance by this time attained to almost all available chemicals, strategies integrating "plant derived" compounds to influence "semiochemical"-mediated behaviors by means of interruption of mosquito-olfactory sensory system have substantially developed (Muema et al, 2017). As a consequence, the physiological status related to the olfactory sensory system is disrupted.…”

Role of phospholipid synthesis in the development and differentiation of malaria parasites in the blood

“…In 2016, these parasites were responsible for ϳ216 million clinical cases and ϳ445,000 deaths (1). Thanks to major international efforts aimed at implementing improved policies for control of mosquito populations, the wide use of bed nets, and the application of new therapeutic strategies, this mortality rate represents a drop of more than 50% from the ϳ839,000 deaths recorded in 2000 (1,3). However, despite this success, the death toll is still unacceptably high.…”

“…Orthologs of PfPMT have also been found in proteobacteria (Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia oklahomensis), many species of plants, two species of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis), nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae), zebrafish (Danio rerio), the Florida lancelet (Brachiostoma floridae), and the protozoan fungus Phytophthora infestans (49). Interestingly, no PMT orthologs 3 The abbreviations used are: PC, phosphatidylcholine; PE, phosphatidylethanolamine; CDP, cytidine diphosphate; DAG, diacylglycerol; lyso-PC, lysophosphatidylcholine; PSD, PS decarboxylase; PfNSM, lyso-PC-dependent phospholipase C (SM/LCPL-phospholipase C or PLC); PfPSD, P. falciparum phosphatidylserine decarboxylase; PfPSS, P. falciparum phosphatidylserine synthase; PfPMT, P. falciparum phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase; PS, phosphatidylserine; PvPMT, P. vivax phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase; PMT, phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase; TM, transmembrane domain; 7CPQA, 7-chloro-N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-quinolinamine. (49).…”

A cross-sectional observational study investigating the association between sedges (swamp grasses, Cyperaceae) and the prevalence of immature malaria vectors in aquatic habitats along the shore of Lake Victoria, western Kenya

“…In 2018, 213 million people were infected and 380,000 died 1 . The majority of people in sub-Saharan Africa live in poverty and in areas with suitable conditions for the proliferation of malaria vectors 2 . The major malaria vectors are in the Anopheles gambiae and An.…”