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International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences Review Article

Received on: 16/09/2025

Revised on: 11/10/2025

Accepted on: 24/10/2025

Published on: 12/11/2025

  • Jenifer E, Lavanya R, Anitha W, Nivedha S and Aswini L( 2025).

    Medicinal plants for mosquito vector control: An updated review of phytochemical-based pest management strategies

    . International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences, 10( 6), 85-90.

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Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and lymphatic filariasis continue to pose significant global public health challenges, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The widespread use of synthetic insecticides has led to environmental toxicity, increased resistance among mosquito populations, and adverse effects on non-target organisms. In response, there is growing interest in exploring phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants as eco-friendly alternatives for vector control. This review compiles and critically analyzes current research on plant-based larvicides and repellents, with a focus on species such as Leucas aspera, Tridax procumbens, Ocimum sanctum, Hyptis suaveolens, and Mentha arvensis. These plants exhibit significant bioactivity against key mosquito vectors including Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefasciatus. The mechanisms of action—ranging from enzyme inhibition to membrane disruption—are discussed, along with the roles of essential oils, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other bioactive constituents. Despite promising laboratory results, challenges such as low stability, inconsistent phytochemical yields, and lack of formulation standards hinder commercial application. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary research, including nanotechnology integration, synergistic formulations, and standardized bioassays, to facilitate the transition of plant-based pesticides into sustainable public health tools.

Keywords

Medicinal plants, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Liver cancer, Anticancer activity, Phytochemicals.

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    © The Author(s) 2025. This article is published by International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (creativecommons.org), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.