The fabrication and assessment of mosquito repellent cream for outdoor protection

Hemanga Hazarika,Johirul Islam,Harshita Krishnatreyya,Pronobesh Chattopadhyay,Varun Tyagi,Kamaruz Zaman,Neelutpal Gogoi,Danswrang Goyary

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-06185-9

Hemanga Hazarika, Johirul Islam + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06185-9

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Abstract

Mosquito-borne infections like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, etc. are a nuisance and can cause profound discomfort to people. Due to the objectional side effects and toxicity associated with synthetic pyrethroids, N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), N,N-diethyl phenylacetamide (DEPA), and N,N-di ethyl benzamide (DEBA) based mosquito repellent products, we developed an essential oil (EO) based mosquito repellent cream (EO-MRC) using clove, citronella and lemongrass oil. Subsequently, a formulation characterization, bio-efficacy, and safety study of EO-MRC were carried out. Expression of Anti-OBP2A and TRPV1 proteins on mosquito head parts were studied by western blotting. In-silico screening was also conducted for the specific proteins. An FT-IR study confirmed the chemical compatibility of the EOs and excipients used in EO-MRC. The thermal behaviour of the best EOs and their mixture was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). GC–MS examination revealed various chemical components present in EOs. Efficacy of EO-MRC was correlated with 12% N,N-diethyl benzamide (DEBA) based marketed cream (DBMC). Complete protection time (CPT) of EO-MRC was determined as 228 min. Cytotoxicity study on L-132 cell line confirmed the non-toxic nature of EO-MRC upon inhalation. Acute dermal irritation study, acute dermal dose toxicity study, and acute eye irritation study revealed the non-toxic nature of EO-MRC. Non-target toxicity study on Danio rerio confirmed EO-MRC as safer for aquatic non-target animals. A decrease in the concentration of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was observed in transfluthrin (TNSF) exposed Wistar rats. While EO-MRC did not alter the AChE concentrations in the exposed animals. Results from western blotting confirmed that Anti-OBP2A and TRPV1 proteins were inhibited in TNSF exposed mosquitoes. Mosquitoes exposed to EO-MRC showed a similar expression pattern for Anti-OBP2A and TRPV1 as the control group. In silico study revealed eight identified compounds of the EOs play significant roles in the overall repellency property of the developed product. The study emphasizes the mosquito repellent activity of EO-MRC, which could be an effective, eco-friendly, and safer alternative to the existing synthetic repellents for personal protection against mosquitoes during field conditions.

Highlights

Electrical vaporizer formulations are effective in reducing mosquito densities in indoor areas
The present study investigates the repellent activity of a non-toxic essential oils (EOs)-MRC formulation against mosquitoes, as per the international standards
The overall study substantiates the development of EO based, longer lasting, nontoxic topical cream formulation to strategically minimize mosquito bites and to decrease the mosquito-borne disease incidents

Summary

Introduction

Electrical vaporizer formulations are effective in reducing mosquito densities in indoor areas. N,N-Diethyl3-methylbenzamide (DEET), N,N-diethyl phenylacetamide (DEPA), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), N,N-di ethyl benzamide (DEBA) and allethrin, are utilized in most of the commercial mosquito repellent formulations[11,22], which are persistent synthetic chemicals, and non-biodegradable[23]. Their higher exposure to the environment may hamper the e cosystem[23,24,25]. The main objective of our study is to develop and characterize an EO based topical cream formulation for mosquito repellent with reduced toxicity for outdoor protection

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