Activity of Artemisia pallens leaf extracts against Culex quinquefasciatus larva and in silico docking of selected compounds against Acetylcholinesterase

Abstract

Developed mosquitocidal resistance and associated health problems caused by synthetic insecticides, pave the way to control the mosquito population by using botanicals. Artemisia pallens / Davana, is renowned for its fragrance properties and thus well exploited in perfumery industries. The present study aimed to assess the larvicidal activity of Artemisia pallens leaf extracts against Culex quinquefasciatus. The preliminary qualitative analysis of the phytoconstituents and larvicidal activity against the fourth instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus was performed to analyse the efficacy of the chloroform, methanolic, and aqueous extracts of Artemisia pallens leaves. The chemical profiling of two extracts (Chloroform, Methanol) with better larvicidal activity was done by GC-MS. 3 compounds with insecticidal activity was docked against Acetylcholinesterase enzyme. All the extracts contain variable quantities of important secondary metabolites. The chloroform and methanolic extracts of Artemisia pallens leaves exhibit better larvicidal effect on Culex quinquefasciatus with a low LC50 value. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 21 and 36 phytocomponents in chloroform and methanolic extracts of Artemisia pallens leaves respectively. Amongst the chosen metabolites valproic acid, pseudo solasodine diacetate, and alpha-terpineol, pseudo solasodine diacetate binds with lowest energy (-9. 86 Kcal/Mol) against Acetylcholinesterase. Thus Artemisia pallens leaves could serve as a natural weapon against Culex quinquefasciatus in the larval stage and could also control the adult form by blocking their nervous activity. As plant-based mosquitocides, are safe to humans and environment, Artemisia pallens leaves could be used to control mosquito borne diseases.