Mosquito Larvicidal Activity and Cytotoxicity of the Extracts of Aromatic Plants from Malaysia

Abstract

Despite ongoing control efforts, the mosquito population and diseases vectored by them continue to thrive worldwide, causing major health concerns. There has been growing interest in the use of botanicals as alternatives to insecticides due to their widespread insecticidal properties, biodegradability, and adaptability to ecological conditions. In this study, we investigated the larvicidal activity and cytotoxicity effects of solvent extracts from three aromatic plants—Curcuma longa (turmeric), Ocimum americanum (hoary basil), and Petroselinum crispum (parsley)—against Aedes albopictus. Subsequently, we examined the phytochemical composition of the extracts through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Results revealed that the hexane extracts of O. americanum and P. crispum exhibited the greatest larvicidal activity with the lowest median lethal concentration (LC50) values (<30 µg/mL) at 24 h post-treatment, with the former found to be significantly less toxic towards African monkey kidney (Vero) cells. The GC–MS analysis of the said extract indicated the presence of different classes of metabolites, including phenylpropanoids, very long-chain alkanes, fatty acids and their derivatives, and terpenes, with the most abundant component being methyl eugenol (55.28%), most of which, have been documented for their larvicidal activities. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential use and development of bioinsecticides, particularly from O. americanum.

Petroselinum Crispum (Mill.) Fuss (Parsley), a Food and Medicinally Important Plant: A Review of Recent Studies Between 2013-2023

“…Median cytotoxic concentration (CC50) values in extracts (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol, water) of leaves and stems of P. crispum in healthy kidney epithelial (Vero) cells derived from the African monkey cells at a concentration of 100 μL (5-640 μg/ml) were found to be 82.7±8.1 for chloroform, 105.3±4.5 for ethyl acetate and 159.3±8.0 μg/ml for hexane. No cytotoxicity was detected in ethanol, methanol, and aqueous extract [101]. It was determined that the carbinol extract of P. crispum seeds at different concentrations (62.5-1000 μl) did not show toxicity in Caco-2 cells by MTT assay [64].…”

Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss (Parsley): An Updated Review of the Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology

“…14 Hexane extract of parsley leaves showed larvicidal activity against Aedes albopictus larva, which suggest it to be a possible promising natural agent to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. 56 Safety Concerns. As far as the safety of parsley consumption is concerned, it should be noted that parsley is a common culinary herb of the Mediterranean region consumed in small quantities being used to flavor foods.…”

“…Hexane extract of parsley leaves showed larvicidal activity against Aedes albopictus larva, which suggest it to be a possible promising natural agent to prevent mosquito-borne diseases …”

A Review of Certain Plants (Aromatic Plants) on the Control of Mosquito

“…In conclusion, the research suggests that certain aromatic plants, particularly O. americanum, have great potential as bioinsecticide alternatives. [20] The larvicidal activity of five aromatic plants against mosquito vectors was investigated: caraway (Carum carvi), celery (Apium graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), mullilam (Zanthoxylum limonella), and zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria). In this study, two mosquito species-Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever in urban settings, and Anopheles dirus, the primary vector of malaria in Thailand-were used.…”