Repellent activity of essential oils isolated from the leaves of Eupatorium odoratum against malaria, filaria and dengue vectors

Abstract

Light green essential oils extracted from the leaves of Eupatorium odoratum (Asterace) from Himalaya region (India) were screened for repellent activity against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquifaciatus mosquitoes. The repellent activity was evaluated in door condition. Four concentrations 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% (v/v) in ethanol were considered in this study. When the test oil was applied at 10% concentration were found most effective and provided more than 2hr of complete protection against all three mosquito species. The complete protection time (Mean ± S.D) were recorded as 160.2 ± 2.77min, 139.4 ± 1.14min and 125.6 ± 3.13min against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquifaciatus respectively. There was no bite within 125min and 160min confirm due to action of essential oil and thus 100% protection from the bite of mosquitoes achieved. No adverse effects of the human volunteers were observed during the exposure and through three months after the application.Therefore, the essential oil of Eupatorium odoratum (Asterace) may prove useful in the development of mosquito natural repellents as an effective personal protection measure against mosquito bites.