Target and non-target effects of Foeniculum vulgare and Matricaria chamomilla combined extract on Culex pipiens mosquitoes

Abstract

The present study focused on extracting green larvicides from extracts of the combination of Foeniculum vulgare and Matricaria chamomilla using different solvents of increasing polarity in a Soxhlet extractor and evaluating their ovicidal, larvicidal, and cytotoxic activities. The most promising among all tested extracts was hexane extract. The ovicidal activity of the hexane PH2 extract resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in egg hatchability from 95.00 ± 6.16% to 15 ± 9.04% at doses ranging from 62.5 to 500 µg/mL. The larval mortality with the hexane extract ranged from 13.33 ± 3.3% to 93.33 ± 3.3% at doses ranging from 31.25 to 250 µg/mL, respectively. The LC 50 and LC 90 values of the larvicidal activity of the hexane extract were estimated to be 148.3 and 242.17 µg/mL, respectively, after 24 h of exposure. Similarly, the LC 50 values after 48 and 72 h of exposure were 124.93 and 100.3 µg/mL, respectively, against the third instar of Cx. pipiens . PH2 treatment of larvae resulted in histopathological changes such as degenerated epithelial cells and destruction of microvilli on the epithelial cells. The PH2 extract achieved a dose-dependent decrease in the rate of cell survival. The IC 50 value of PH2-treated HUVECs was 192.07 µg/mL after 24 h of incubation. The cells showed changes in cellular and nuclear morphology. In conclusion, the hexane extract of PH2 could be used in mosquito management programs.

Genome-Wide Association Study on Chinese Merino Sheep Alopecia

“…The histological investigation showed changes in the midgut region of Cx pipiens due to the toxic effect of the hexane extract of G. mangostana. Similar effect has been shown also with Foeniculum vulgare and Matricaria chamomilla hexane extract (Al-Mekhlafi et al, 2021). The toxicity effect of Epaltes divaricate hexane extract on the midgut caused severe damage to gut tissues such as the peritrophic matrix, the epithelial layer, and the brush border (Amala et al, 2021).…”

“…After 24 h, the dead larvae were counted. Larvae were considered dead if they could not reach the surface or move when touched with a wooden stick (Al-Mekhlafi et al, 2021).…”

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): A Review of Ethnomedicinal Use, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Uses

“…Concerning the mosquitocidal activity, Al-Mekhlafi et alhave tested the larvicidal and ovicidal effects of the combination of M. chamomilla and Foeniculum vulgare hexane extracts against Culex pipiens. The mixture obtained showed a larvicidal activity with LC 50 of 100.3 mg/mL after 72 h exposure [28]. In addition, an ovicidal activity was reported with a decrease in egg hatchability from 95 to 15% at doses ranging from 62.5 to 500 mg/mL.…”

“…Generally, M. chamomilla's effect on oxidative stress, bacterial, and fungal strains varied depending on several factors, including plant origin, organ used, extraction solvent, and technique. In addition, M. chamomilla exhibited antiparasitic, insecticidal [27,28], anti-diabetic [29], anticancer [30,31], and anti-inflammatory activities [32] (Figure 1). Based on the wide range of pharmacological activities demonstrated by M. chamomilla, its possible use in several fields has been investigated.…”

Ovicidal toxicity of plant essential oils and their major constituents against two mosquito vectors and their non-target aquatic predators

“…aegypti [20][21][22] , and Culex quinquefasciatus 23 . Furthermore, combined formulations of EOs and EO constituents showed even higher e cacy than their individual EOs [24][25] . For example, Soonwera et al 26 reported that a combined trans-anethol + I. verum EO formulation provided complete mortality against Ae.…”