Mosquitocidal properties of Ocimum canum Sims (Lamiaceae) leaf extracts against dengue vector Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae)

The Ocimum plant was traditionally used for mosquitoes repellent and control in India especially in Tamil Nadu. In this research, deals with the larvicidal, pupicidal and adulticidal potential of three different solvent extracts of O. canum against Aedes aegypti. The overall result highlights that the chloroform extracts of O. canum were shown significant larvicidal (15.027 mg/L) activity at 24 h of exposure. The pupicidal and adulticidal activity of this plant exhibits highest mortality against A. aegypti within 24 h at the dose ranges of 89.773 mg/mL, 41.912 mg/mL respectively. The chloroform extracts contain major phyto-constituents like phenol, alkaloids, protein and tannins. Thin layer chromatography profiles also provide a database for the presence of active components. GC-MS analysis of bioactive chloroform extract revealed that a total of seventeen compounds, six were considered as major and the remaining as minor compounds. The spectral studies of FT-IR denoted the functional groups of bioactive components like alkenes, ketone, hydroxyl and others. Based on the outcome of results show that Ocimum canum have found to potent ability for controlling the mosquitoes, it can be used as an ideal eco-friendly agent for arresting dengue fever in future.