Larvicidal effect of some traditional Saudi Arabian herbs againstAedes aegyptilarvae, a vector of dengue fever

Abstract

AbstractMosquitoes are effective disease vectors for human and veterinary health because they share a close environment with humans and represent a major public health problem. Saudi Arabia is home to the endemic dengue fever disease, carried by theAedes aegyptimosquito. Conventional insecticides based on organophosphates and insect growth regulators are the most effective short-term control methods for this vector. However, these insecticides are toxic to non-target organisms, the environment, and humans. This study, eight plant extracts (Ilex paraguariensis, Camellia sinensis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Elettaria cardamomum, Matricaria chamomilla, Allium sativum, Coffea arabica, andPiper nigrum) were assayed as an insecticide against the 3rdand 4thlarval stage ofAe. aegypti(L.), after 24 and 48 h of exposure in the duration between March and June 2023. After 48h, all plants extracted showed the highest mortality (100%), except forC. arabicawhich showed the lowest mortality rate (98.33%) at 30%.I. paraguariensisshowed the greatest effectiveness with an LC50=7.17 ppm, followed byP. nigrumwith an LC50= 5.66 ppm. Further investigation is needed to purify the active ingredients responsible for their toxicity to mosquito larvae and to investigate the mechanisms of action of plant extracts in water and other solvents.