Larvicidal activity and Biochemical Effects of Apigenin against Filarial Vector Culex quinquefasciatus

Abstract

-Mosquito-borne diseases have intruded the globe since immemorial time. The present scenario for commanding the mosquitoes is aimed at application of target and stage-specific, cost-effective and biodegradable phytoproducts. Plant extracts are safer for non-target organisms including man. Plant based formulations would be more feasible environmental products with proven potential as insecticide. Therefore, in the present study of larvicidal activity of biologically active compound Apigenin extracted from leaf of Jatropha gossypifolia against the filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus was studied. Standard WHO protocols with minor modifications was adopted for the larvicidal bioassay. The active compound Apigenin extracted through ethyl alcohol solvent from the leaf of Jatropha gossypifolia plant of family Euphorbiaceae was administered for 24h or 96h to the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. Exposure of larvae over 24h to sub-lethal doses (40% and 80% of LC 50) of apigenin, significantly (P<0.05) altered the level of total protein, total free amino acid, glycogen and activity of enzymes acetyl cholinesterase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in whole body tissue of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. The alterations in all these biochemical parameters were significantly (P<0.05) time and dose dependent.