article · Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
Mosquitoes such as Culex pipiens act as major disease vectors, but standard synthetic insecticides cause ecological and environmental concerns. Researchers evaluated the insecticidal potential of an extract from the plant Pulicaria odora against Culex pipiens larvae using World Health Organization testing protocols. The plant material was processed with a methanol extraction method. Laboratory trials revealed that the extract exhibited notable larvicidal properties, achieving a median lethal dose of 0.69 milligrams per millilitre after 72 hours, with larval mortality reaching two thirds at a concentration of 1 milligram per millilitre. Chemical profiling detected 12 polyphenolic compounds, including kaempferol, chrysin, and hesperetin. Computational docking analyses showed that kaempferol bound most effectively to the target enzyme acetylcholinesterase 1, indicating that this botanical extract could contribute to environmentally friendly pest management programmes.
Controlling disease-carrying mosquitoes is essential for public health, yet conventional synthetic chemicals increasingly pose ecological risks. Demonstrating that a plant extract can kill mosquito larvae helps establish plant-based options for vector control. Identifying the specific active compounds and their molecular targets supports the development of alternative treatments that reduce environmental damage.
This research could support the development of plant-derived larvicides for integrated pest management programmes and mosquito control operators. The evidence is early-stage, relying on laboratory bioassays and computational molecular docking. Substantial formulation development, field testing, and application optimisation will be required before these botanical extracts or active molecules can be deployed as commercial pest control products.
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ABSTRACT Mosquitoes, particularly Culex pipiens, are critical vectors of diseases, posing global health risks. The overuse of synthetic insecticides has led to environmental and ecological concerns, prompting the search for eco-friendly alternatives. This study evaluates the larvicidal efficacy of Pulicaria odora extract against Cx. pipiens larvae and analyzes its phytochemical composition using LC-ESI-MS/MS-MRM techniques. P. odora was collected, processed, and subjected to 70% methanol Extraction. Larvicidal activity was assessed according to WHO protocol. Phytochemical profiling identified bioactive compounds, and molecular docking studies explored protein-ligand interactions. The extract demonstrated significant larvicidal activity, with an LD50 of 0.69 mg/mL after 72 hours. Mortality increased with concentration and exposure, peaking at 66.66% at 1mg/mL. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis identified 12 polyphenolic compounds, including kaempferol, chrysin, and hesperetin. Molecular docking revealed that kaempferol has the strongest binding affinity (-8.8kcal/mol) to the target protein (AChE1), with kaempferol forming multiple hydrogen bonds and π-stacking interactions. This study highlights P. odora's value in sustainable mosquito management, offering a natural alternative to synthetic insecticides. Future work should focus on optimizing its application in integrated pest management systems.
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DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-13455
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