Explore the vast range of titles available.

(1) Background: The control of mosquitoes with essential oils is a growing demand. (2) Methods: This study evaluated the novel larvicidal and adulticidal activity of fennel and green tea oils and their nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) against Culex pipiens (C. pipiens) in the laboratory, field conditions and evaluated their effect against non-target organisms. SLN type II nanoformulations were synthesized and characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential and transmission electron microscope. (3) Results: The synthesized NLCs showed spherical shaped, homogenous, narrow, and monomodal particle size distribution. The mortality percent (MO%) post-treatment (PT) with 2000 ppm for 24 h with fennel oil and NLC fennel (NLC-F) reached 85% (LC50 = 643.81 ppm) and 100% (LC50 = 251.71), whereas MO% for green tea oil and NLC green tea (NLC-GT) were 80% (LC50 = 746.52 ppm) and 100% (LC50 = 278.63 ppm), respectively. Field trial data showed that the larval reduction percent of fennel oil and NLC-F reached 89.8% and 97.4%, 24 h PT and the reduction percent of green tea oil and NLC-GT reached 89% and 93%, 24 h PT with persistence reached 8 and 7 days, for NLC-F and NLC-GT, respectively. The adulticidal effects showed that NLC-F and NLC-GT (100% mortality) were more effective than fennel and green tea oils (90.0% and 83.33%), with 24 h PT, respectively. Moreover, their reduction of adult density after spraying with LC95 X2 for 15 min, with fennel oil, NLC-F, and green tea oil, NLC-GT were 83.6%, 100%, 79.1%, and 100%, respectively, with persistence (>50%) lasting for three days. The predation rate of the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, and the bug, Sphaerodema urinator, was not affected in both oil and its NLC, while the predation rate of the beetle, Cybister tripunctatus increased (66% and 68.3%) by green tea oil and NLC-GT, respectively. (4) Conclusions: NLCs nanoformulation encapsulated essential oils was prepared successfully with unique properties of size, morphology, and stability. In vitro larvicidal and adulticidal effects against C. pipiens supported with field evaluations have been performed using essential oils and their nanoformulations. The biological evaluation of nanoformulations manifested potential results toward both larvicidal and adulticidal compared to the essential oils themselves, especially NLC encapsulated fennel oil which had promising larvicidal and adulticidal activity.

Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases represent an increasing global challenge. Plant extract and/or oils could serve as alternatives to synthetic insecticides. The larvicidal effects of 32 oils (1000 ppm) were screened against the early 4th larvae of Culex pipiens and the best oils were evaluated against adults and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC mass) and HPLC. All oils had larvicidal activity (60.0–100%, 48 h Post-treatment, and their Lethal time 50 (LT 50 ) values ranged from 9.67 ( Thymus vulgaris ) to 37.64 h ( Sesamum indicum ). Oils were classified as a highly effective group (95–100% mortalities), including Allium sativum, Anethum graveolens, Camellia sinensis, Foeniculum vulgare, Nigella sativa, Salvia officinalis, T. vulgaris, and Viola odorata. The moderately effective group (81–92% mortalities) included Boswellia serrata, Cuminum cyminum, Curcuma aromatic, Allium sativum, Melaleuca alternifolia, Piper nigrum, and Simmondsia chinensis . The least effective ones were C. sativus and S. indicum. Viola odorata, Anethum graveolens, T. vulgaris, and N. sativa provide 100% adult mortalities PT with 10, 25, 20, and 25%. The mortality percentages of the adults subjected to 10% of oils (H group) were 48.89%, 88.39%, 63.94%, 51.54%, 92.96%, 44.44%, 72.22%, and 100% for A. sativum, An. graveolens, C. sinensis, F. vulgare, N. sativa, S. officinalis, T. vulgaris, and V. odorata, respectively. Camellia sinensis and F. vulgare were the most potent larvicides whereas V. odorata, T. vulgaris, An. graveolens and N. sativa were the best adulticides and they could be used for integrated mosquito control.

Mosquitoes, one of the deadliest animals on the planet, cause millions of fatalities each year by transmitting several human illnesses. Synthetic pesticides were previously used to prevent the spread of diseases by mosquitoes, which was effective in protecting humans but caused serious human health problems, environmental damage, and developed mosquito pesticide resistance. This research focuses on exploring new, more effective, safer, and environmentally friendly compounds to improve mosquito vector management. Phytochemicals are possible biological agents for controlling pests and many are target-specific, rapidly biodegradable, and eco-friendly. The potential of extracts of Lantana camara, Melia azedarach, Nerium oleander, Ricinus communis, and Withania somnifera against 3rd instar Culex pipiens (Common house mosquito) larvae was evaluated. Methanol extracts had more toxic effects against Cx. pipiens larvae (95–100%, 24 h post-treatment) than aqueous extracts (63–91%, 24 h post-treatment). The methanol extracts of Nerium oleander (LC 50  = 158.92 ppm) and Ricinus communis (LC 50  = 175.04 ppm) were very effective at killing mosquito larvae, 24 h after treatment. N. oleander (LC 50  = 373.29 ppm) showed high efficacy in aqueous plant extracts. Among the different extracts of the five plants screened, the methanol extract of R. communis recorded the highest ovicidal activity of 5% at 800 ppm concentration. Total developmental duration and growth index were highly affected by R. communis and M. azedarach methanol extracts. In field tests it was clear that plant extracts decreased mosquito larval density, especially when mixed with mosquito Bti briquette, with stability up to seven days for N. oleander . GC–MS results showed that the methanol extract had a higher number of chemical compounds, particularly with more terpene compounds. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique was used to detect the existence of non-volatile polyphenols and flavonoids. All five methanol extracts showed high concentrations of active ingredients such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid (more than 100 μg/ml) and the rosmarinic acid was also found in all the five extracts in addition to 17 active polyphenols and flavonoids presented at moderate to low concentrations. Molecular modeling of 18 active ingredients detected by the HPLC were performed to the vicinity of one of the fatty acid binding proteins of lm -FABP (PDB code: 2FLJ ). Rutin, Caffeic acid, coumaric acid and rosmarinic acid which presented densely in R. communis and N. oleander showed multiple and stable intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions. The inhibition ability of the fatty acid binding protein, FABP4, was evaluated with remarkable receptor inhibition evident, especially with R. communis and N. oleander having inhibitory concentrations of IC 50  = 0.425 and 0.599 µg/mL, respectively. The active phytochemical compounds in the plants suggest promising larvicidal and ovicidal activity, and have potential as a safe and effective alternative to synthetic insecticides.

Mosquito-borne diseases represent a growing health challenge over time. Numerous potential phytochemicals are target-specific, biodegradable, and eco-friendly. The larvicidal activity of essential oils, a jasmine blend consisting of Jasmine oil and Azores jasmine (AJ) ( Jasminum sambac and Jasminum azoricum ) and peppermint (PP) Mentha arvensis and their nanoformulations against 2nd and 4th instar larvae of Culex pipiens , was evaluated after subjecting to different concentrations (62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 ppm). Two forms of phase-different nanodelivery systems of layered double hydroxide LDH and oil/water nanoemulsions were formulated. The synthesized nanoemulsions showed particle sizes of 199 and 333 nm for AJ-NE and PP-NE, with a polydispersity index of 0.249 and 0.198, respectively. Chemical and physiochemical analysis of TEM, SEM, XRD, zeta potential, drug loading capacity, and drug release measurements were done to confirm the synthesis and loading efficiencies of essential oils' active ingredients. At high concentrations of AJ and PP nanoemulsions (2000 ppm), O/W nanoemulsions showed higher larval mortality than both LDH conjugates and crude oils. The mortality rate reached 100% for 2nd and 4th instar larvae. The relative toxicities revealed that PP nanoemulsion (MA-NE) was the most effective larvicide, followed by AJ nanoemulsion (AJ-NE). There was a significant increase in defensive enzymes, phenoloxidase, and α and β-esterase enzymes in the treated groups. After treatment of L4 with AJ, AJ-NE, PP, and PP-NE, the levels of phenoloxidase were 545.67, 731.00, 700.00, and 799.67 u/mg, respectively, compared with control 669.67 u/mg. The activity levels of α-esterase were 9.71, 10.32, 8.91, and 10.55 mg α-naphthol/min/mg protein, respectively. It could be concluded that the AJ-NE and PP-NE nanoformulations have promising larvicidal activity and could act as safe and effective alternatives to chemical insecticides.

Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest and most hazardous animals on Earth, where they transmit several diseases that kill millions of people annually. There is an ongoing search almost everywhere in the world for more effective and contemporary ways to control mosquitoes other than pesticides. Phytochemicals are affordable, biodegradable biological agents that specialize in eliminating pests that represent a risk to public health. The effectiveness of Acacia nilotica methanol and aqueous leaf extracts against 4th instar larvae was evaluated. The results revealed that the methanol extract of A. nilotica had a noticeable influence on the mortality rate of mosquito larvae, especially at high concentrations. Not only did the mortality rate rise significantly, but the hatching of the mosquito eggs was potentially suppressed.Terpenes, fatty acids, esters, glycosides, pyrrolidine alkane, piperazine, and phenols were the most prevalent components in the methanol extract, while the aqueous extract of A. nilotica exclusively showed the presence of fatty acids. The insecticidal susceptibility tests of both aqueous and alcoholic extract of A. nilotica confirmed that the Acacia plant could serves as a secure and efficient substitute for chemical pesticides because of its promising effect on killing larvae and egg hatching delaying addition to their safety as one of the natural pesticides. Molecular docking study was performed using one of the crucial and life-controlling protein targets, fatty acid binding protein (FABP) and the most active ingredients as testing ligands to describe their binding ability. Most of the structurally related compounds to the co-crystallized ligand, OLA, like hexadecanoic acid furnished high binding affinity to the target protein with very strong and stable intermolecular hydrogen bonding and this is quite similar to OLA itself. Some other structural non-related compounds revealed extraordinarily strong binding abilities like Methoxy phenyl piperazine. Most of the binding reactivities of the majortested structures are due to high structure similarity between the positive control, OLA, and tested compounds. Such structure similarity reinforced with the binding abilities of some detected compounds in the A. nilotica extract could present a reasonable interpretation for its insecticidal activity via deactivating the FABP protein. The FABP4 enzyme inhibition activity was assessed for of both methanolic and aqueous of acacia plant extract and the inhibition results of methanol extract depicted noticeable potency if compared to orlistat, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 0.681, and 0.535 µg/ml, respectively.

(1) Background: Mosquito control with essential oils is a growing demand. This work evaluated the novel larvicidal and adulticidal activity of fennel and green tea oils and their Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanohybrid against Culex pipiens (Cx. pipiens) in both laboratory and field conditions and evaluated their effect against non-target organisms; (2) Methods: Two types of nanoclays, MgAl-LDH and NiAl-LDH were synthesized and characterized using PXRD, TEM and SEM, whereas their elemental analysis was accomplished by SEM-EDX; (3) Results: Mg and Ni LDHs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The adsorption and desorption of active ingredients were conducted using LC MS/MS, with reference to the SEM-EXD analysis. The desorption process of MgAl-LDH intercalated green tea oil was conducted using ethanol, and reveled significant peaks related to polyphenols and flavonoids like Vanillin, Catechin, Daidzein, Ellagic acid, Naringenin, Myricetin and Syringic acid with concentrations of 0.76, 0.73, 0.67, 0.59, 0.52, 0.44 and 0.42 μg/g, respectively. The larvicidal LC50 values of fennel oil, Mg-LDH-F, and Ni-LDH-F were 843.88, 451.95, 550.12 ppm, respectively, whereas the corresponding values of green tea were 938.93, 530.46, and 769.94 ppm. The larval reduction percentage of fennel oil and Mg-LDH-F reached 90.1 and 96.2%, 24 h PT and their persistence reached five and seven days PT, respectively. The reduction percentage of green tea oil and Mg-LDH-GT reached 88.00 and 92.01%, 24 h PT and their persistence reached five and six days PT, respectively. Against adults, Mg-LDH-GT and Ni-LDH-GT were less effective than green tea oil as their LC95 values were 5.45, 25.90, and 35.39%, respectively. The reduction in adult density PT with fennel oil, Mg-LDH-F, green tea oil, and Mg-LDH-GT reached 83.1, 100, 77.0, and 99.0%, respectively, 24 h PT and were effective for three days. Mg-LDH-GT and Mg-LDH-F increased the predation Cybister tripunctatus (71% and 69%), respectively; (4) Conclusions: For the first time, Mg-LDH-GT and Mg-LDH-F was the best system loaded with relatively good desorption release to its active ingredients and significantly affected Cx. pipiens larvae and adults in both laboratory and field circumstances, and it could be included in mosquito control.

Hyalomma dromedarii is an important tick species infesting livestock. This work evaluated the novel adulticidal, insect growth-regulating, and enzymatic efficacy of ethanol plant extracts of Aloe vera and Rheum rhabarbarum and their nanoemulsions against males and engorged females of the camel tick, H. dromedarii . The physicochemical properties of nanoemulsions were evaluated. The High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analyses indicated that the extracts contained polyphenols and flavonoids, which could enhance their acaricidal effect. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) of the nanoemulsions of A. vera and R. rhabarbarum were 196.7 and 291 nm, whereas their zeta potentials were − 29.1 and − 53.1 mV, respectively. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) indicated that nanoemulsions showed a regular spherical shape (less than 100 nm). Fifteen days post-treatment (PT) with 25%, the mortality% of A. vera and R. rhabarbarum were 88.5 and 96.2%, respectively. Five days PT, the median lethal concentration values of A . vera, R. rhabarbarum, and their nanoemulsions were 7.8, 7.1, 2.8, and 1.02%, respectively, and their toxicity indices were 91.02, 100, 36.4, and 100%, respectively. Their median lethal time values PT with 3.5% were 6.09, 5.09, 1.75, and 1.34 days, respectively. Nanoemulsions enhanced the efficacy of the crude extract 1–7 folds, 5 days PT, and accelerated their speed of killing ticks 2–4 times. The total protein and carbohydrates, Acetylcholinesterase, Alpha esterase, and Amylase were affected PT. The reproductive potential of engorged females was adversely impacted. In conclusion, the novel A. vera and R. rhabarbarum extracts were promising acaricides, and their nanoformulations enhanced their efficacies.

Mosquito-borne diseases represent a growing health challenge over time. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are the second generation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and they continue to attract significant interest as potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools in disease inhibition and insect control. Activated ingredients presented in the Poinciana leaves were extracted and GC–MS data indicated an increased abundance of terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic substances. Poinciana extract was encapsulated to the vicinity of nanostructure lipid carrier, Po-NLC, and surface modified with magnetic nanoparticles, Po-NLC-MNPs. The synthesized nanoparticles depicted average particle size of 73.2 and 75.55 nm while zeta potential of (− 29.4) and (‒ 4.44 mV) for Po-NLC and Po-NLC-MNPs, respectively. Transmission electron microscope and morphology determination showed regular, irregular spherical and oval shapes with diverse single particle size. X-rays diffraction pattern of the freely synthesized MNPs was compared to the decorated NLC and the results manifested that the NLC was successfully decorated with MNPs. The larvicidal activity of plant extract, Poinciana extract (Po), and their nanoparticle conjugates against 3rd instar larvae of Culex pipiens was evaluated at 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 1500 ppm concentrations. Both high and low concentrations of Po-NLC-MNPs, indicated potential larval mortality than plant extracts (Po extract) itself. The mortality rate reached 100% for 3rd instar larvae. Based on their relative toxicity, (Po-NLC-MNPs) was the best at killing larvae, followed by Po-NLC. The synthesized nps were checked for their cytotoxic effect against wi38 cell line. The in-vitro cytotoxicity results indicated that there was no significant cytotoxicity and the nanocomposite barely caused weak changes in the tested cells. The synthesized nanoparticles have potential to create a new generation of eco-friendly, effective alternatives for controlling mosquito-borne diseases.

Botanical extracts and essential oils derived from medicinal plants have attracted increasing interest as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides for mosquito control. In the present study, nanoemulsion formulations of Araucaria heterophylla and Azadirachta indica leaf extracts were developed to enhance their insecticidal efficacy against Culex pipiens and their biochemical impacts. Nanoemulsions were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, and transmission electron microscopy, confirming stable nanoscale droplets with spherical morphology. Biochemical analyses revealed significant inhibition of detoxification (acetylcholinesterase, α - and β -esterases), metabolic (GABA-T, amylase, lipase), and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GST, CAT, GSH). Elevated lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels reflected severe oxidative stress, with A. indica nanoemulsion inducing the most potent effects. The phytochemical profiling of the two plants leads to the identification of 28 and 42 volatile components from the AIW and AH n-hexane extracts, respectively. The identified components belonged to the alkyl benzene and hydrocarbons in common between the two plants. However, AH-Hex was rich with sesquiterpenoids and oxygenated terpenoids such as caryophyllene, humulene, β -bisabolene, carotol, and kaurene derivatives, while AIW-Hex showed methyl esters of palmitic and stearic acids, along with long-chain branched alkanes and alcohols, as its main components. In addition, the UPLC/MS-assisted profiling of Me, Eth. Ac., and Aq. extracts revealed a vast array of metabolites, counted as 56 and 55 for AIW and AH extracts, respectively. The AH extracts were presented with a rich diterpenoid profile together with several flavonoids, fatty acids, and phenolic acids, while the AIW extracts were particularly rich with flavonoids, followed by limonoids, cinnamic acid derivatives, and fatty acids. Overall, this study demonstrates that nanoemulsions of A. indica and A. heterophylla leaves significantly enhance larvicidal efficacy against Cx. pipiens through biochemical disruption and oxidative stress induction.

Disease-carrying insects transmit many of the most serious human diseases. After decades of repeated use of insecticides, all of these vector species have demonstrated the ability to develop resistance to insecticides. This has necessitated the development of more efficient and environmentally safe alternatives in the form of biopesticides. Plants contain a wide range of potential phytochemicals that target a specific target, are rapidly biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and have a variety of therapeutic effects, making them a treasure trove of biological materials. Moreover, this has led to the creation of highly effective new drugs. The present study aims to demonstrate the specific active components in Physalis peruviana calyces that were collected in two consecutive fruiting seasons through UPLC/MS and multivariate data analyses. The extracts were prepared using 70% methanol/water and petroleum ether for each season, then evaluated against disease-carrying vectors, Culex pipiens and Musca domestica . The UPLC/MS analysis resulted in the tentative identification of fifty-four secondary metabolites belonging mainly to flavonoids, phenolic acids, withanolides, triterpenoids, phenyl propanoids, and many others. After various intervals of exposure, plant extracts in this study showed high insecticidal activity against mosquito and housefly larvae, Cx. pipiens, and M. domestica . Data showed that P. peruviana methanol extract (POM) appeared to be most effective (MO%) against Cx. pipiens (LC 50  = 8.18 mg/ml) and M. domestica larvae (LC 50  = 9.87 mg/ml), 24 h post-treatment. The relative toxicity revealed that the old P. peruviana extract (POM) was the most effective in killing larvae, followed by the POP extract, while the modern extracts (PNM and PNP) were less successful on mosquito and housefly larvae. Thus, Physalis peruviana calyx extracts can act as a potential biocontrol agent against certain medical insects.