Formulation and evaluation of mosquito repellent ointment prepared with the essential oil of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC. Indigenous to Northeast India

Abstract

Background: Medicinal plants have sanitary properties due to the bearing of several complex chemical substances of different composition, which are found as secondary plant metabolites in one or more parts of the plants. The genus Zanthoxylum covered to have many useful orthodox uses including antifungal, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activity. This Zanthoxylum genus is a rich source of alkaloids, ligands, steroids, coumarins, benzenoids, terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, and amides. Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC is an aromatic plant and has been reported as an excellent mosquito repellent. Aim: The determination of the study was to formulate and evaluate the mosquito repellent ointment from the essential oil of the fruits of Z. acanthopodium DC. Methods: The formulated ointment was subjected to evaluation of the compatibility of essential oil and ointment base, measurement of pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, stability study, drug content of ointment, and especially mosquito repellent evaluation such as first larvicidal evaluation of oil then repellent evaluation of ointment against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Acute and subchronic dermal irritation studies were also done. Results and Discussion: Our analysis shows that Z. acanthopodium DC has high potential as a mosquito repellent agent when formulated as ointment for topical use. Thus, the study resolves that the formulated ointment formulations of the essential oil from the fruits of Z. acanthopodium were safe and effective carriers with potent mosquito repellent activity.