HERBAL PHYTOCHEMICAL FORMULATION FOR TARGETED MOSQUITO LARVICIDAL ACTION

Abstract

ABSTRACT 5 The present invention relates to a novel, eco-friendly phytochemical-based formulation designed for effective mosquito larvicidal activity. The formulation is intended to target mosquito larvae (wrigglers), promoting larval death through natural mechanisms of lysis while minimizing environmental impact, chemical 10 resistance, and ensuring broad social benefits through public health improvements.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel, eco-5 friendly phytochemical-based
formulation designed for effective mosquito larvicidal activity. The formulation is
intended to target mosquito larvae (wrigglers), promoting larval death through
natural mechanisms of lysis while minimizing environmental impact, chemical
resistance, and ensuring broad social benefits through public health improvements.
10
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya are
significant global health concerns, with mosquitoes acting as vectors for the
transmission of these diseases. Conventional mosquito control methods rely heavily
15 on chemical larvicides, which have been found to have several adverse
environmental and health effects. Chemical larvicides like organophosphates and
pyrethroids are toxic to non-target organisms, lead to the development of resistance
in mosquito populations, and pose health risks to humans through prolonged
exposure. In response, biological control methods such as the use of predatory fish
20 or microbial agents have been explored. However, these methods often require
continuous management, may be ineffective in certain environments, and have
associated costs.
The herbal approach to mosquito control has gained attention due to its eco-friendly
25 nature. Various plant species such as neem, Lantana camara, basil, and
Chrysanthemum indicum have demonstrated insecticidal and repellent properties.
However, existing herbal solutions often suffer from limited effectiveness, shortlasting
results, or difficulty in application.
30 The present invention addresses the limitations of conventional mosquito control
methods and herbal alternatives by providing a novel phytochemical-based
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mosquito larvicidal tablet that combines multiple plant-derived active ingredients
for enhanced efficacy and environmental safety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a phytochemical-5 based larvicidal tablet formulation
that is effective in killing mosquito larvae while being eco-friendly and
biodegradable. The formulation utilizes a synergistic combination of plant extracts,
each selected for its known larvicidal properties. The formulation is designed for
easy handling and application, ensuring effective mosquito larvicidal action in
10 standing water, such as water bodies in urban, rural, and agricultural areas.
The tablet releases the active ingredients slowly into the water, ensuring prolonged
effectiveness while minimizing the environmental impact. The formulation is
designed to be safe for non-target organisms, reducing harm to aquatic life and the
15 surrounding ecosystem.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure.
The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure.
20 However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated
variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification which follow,
25 the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising"
are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as "including, but not limited
to."
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"
means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection
4
with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances
of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may
5 be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The headings and abstract of the invention provided herein are for convenience only
and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.
The present invention provides a novel, eco-friendly mosquito larvicidal tablet
formulation, utilizing a blend of plant-derived phytochemicals known for their
10 insecticidal properties. The formulation targets mosquito larvae in stagnant water,
aiming to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue,
and Zika virus, while minimizing environmental harm. The active ingredients are
derived from a variety of medicinal and aromatic plants, each chosen for its specific
larvicidal properties.
15 1. Formulation Composition
The formulation comprises extracts from Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum
sanctum (Tulsi), Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass), Eucalyptus globulus,
Lantana camara, Artemisia absinthium, Allium sativum (Garlic), and Psidium
guajava (Guava). These plants have been widely studied for their insecticidal
20 properties, and their phytochemicals have demonstrated the ability to disrupt
various physiological processes in mosquito larvae, leading to their death.
The mosquito larvicidal formulation leverages the powerful insecticidal properties
of several plant-based ingredients, each contributing uniquely to the disruption of
mosquito larval development. Azadirachta indica (Neem) extract, rich in
25 azadirachtin, interferes with the hormonal systems of mosquito larvae, preventing
their normal molting process and growth, leading to premature death. Ocimum
sanctum (Tulsi) essential oils disrupt cell membrane integrity, causing leakage of
cellular contents, resulting in cellular death in the larvae. Cymbopogon citratus
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(Lemongrass), which is rich in citral, induces oxidative stress in larvae, causing
cellular damage and death. Eucalyptus globulus contains cineole, an active
compound that impairs the respiratory functions of mosquito larvae, ultimately
suffocating them. Lantana camara, with its phenolic compounds, demonstrates
significant larvicidal activity by disrupting the 5 larvae's nervous system and other
vital physiological functions. Artemisia absinthium affects larval growth by
disrupting developmental stages, causing the larvae to die before reaching maturity.
Allium sativum (Garlic) exerts insecticidal properties that hinder the growth and
development of larvae, preventing their transformation into adult mosquitoes.
10 Psidium guajava (Guava), with its active compounds, inhibits the growth of larvae,
preventing their progression into adult mosquitoes. Together, these plant extracts
create a synergistic, multi-target approach that effectively disrupts the life cycle of
mosquito larvae, ensuring efficient and sustainable mosquito control.
The herbal extracts are combined with excipients to form a tablet that dissolves
15 slowly when placed in water, releasing the active ingredients gradually. This
controlled release ensures prolonged larvicidal activity, thus extending the
effectiveness of the treatment while reducing the need for frequent application. The
excipients used in the formulation are biodegradable, ensuring that the product is
environmentally safe and poses minimal risk to non-target organisms, such as fish,
20 amphibians, and beneficial insects.
2. Preparation of the the larvicidal tablet Formulation
a. Fresh plant materials from reliable sources are collected, ensuring high
phytochemical content.
b. The active ingredients are extracted from the plant parts using solvent
25 extraction methods and further purified through chromatographic
techniques such as column chromatography.
c. The purified extracts are blended in optimal proportions to create a
synergistic formulation that enhances the larvicidal activity.
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d. The blended extracts are combined with excipients to form tablets using
compression techniques, ensuring consistent dosage and effective
dissolution in water.
The mosquito larvicidal tablet works by targeting multiple physiological
mechanisms in the larvae. The combination 5 of cell membrane disruption, hormonal
interference, oxidative stress, and respiratory inhibition ensures that the larvae are
effectively killed before they can reach adulthood and contribute to the mosquito
population. This multi-target approach also reduces the chances of resistance
developing in mosquito populations, making the formulation a sustainable and
10 long-term solution for mosquito control.
The efficacy of the tablet has been tested both in laboratory and field settings. In
laboratory trials, the formulation has been shown to kill over 90% of mosquito
larvae within 24-48 hours of application. Field trials conducted in natural water
bodies demonstrated a significant reduction in mosquito larvae populations, leading
15 to fewer adult mosquitoes and reduced transmission of vector-borne diseases.
In addition to its larvicidal activity, the formulation is environmentally safe. It is
biodegradable, and the active ingredients are non-toxic to aquatic ecosystems,
ensuring that beneficial organisms such as fish, amphibians, and water plants are
not harmed by the treatment. The product also has the potential to be used in various
20 types of water bodies, including stagnant pools, ponds, and small water containers
commonly found in urban and rural settings.
This formulation provides a cost-effective and efficient method for controlling
mosquito larvae. Its herbal-based composition makes it a natural alternative to
chemical insecticides, reducing environmental pollution and health risks. It also
25 holds significant promise in reducing the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases,
especially in regions where access to conventional vector control methods is limited
or cost-prohibitive.
7
The use of the mosquito larvicidal tablet formulation is expected to have a
substantial positive impact on public health by providing an affordable, sustainable,
and eco-friendly solution to mosquito control. Additionally, it offers an opportunity
for communities in resource-limited areas to manage mosquito populations
effectively, thus contributing 5 to global efforts to combat mosquito-borne diseases. , Claims:1. A phytochemical-based larvicidal formulation comprising plant extracts from
Azadirachta indica, Lantana camara, Allium sativum, Chrysanthemum
indicum, Annona squamosa, Psidium guajava, and Ocimum basilicum, capable
5 of inducing lysis in mosquito larvae.
2. The phytochemical-based larvicidal formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the active phytochemicals disrupt cell membrane integrity in mosquito larvae,
causing wriggler lysis.
3. The phytochemical-based larvicidal formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein
10 the phytochemicals inhibit the juvenile hormone pathways, preventing molting
and further development of mosquito larvae.
3. A method for preparing the larvicidal tablet formulation as claimed in claim 1,
comprising
a. Fresh plant materials from reliable sources are collected, ensuring high
15 phytochemical content.
b. The active ingredients are extracted from the plant parts using solvent
extraction methods and further purified through chromatographic
techniques such as column chromatography.
c. The purified extracts are blended in optimal proportions to create a
20 synergistic formulation that enhances the larvicidal activity.
d. The blended extracts are combined with excipients to form tablets using
compression techniques, ensuring consistent dosage and effective
dissolution in water.
4. The phytochemical-based larvicidal formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein
25 the product is biodegradable and environmentally safe, with minimal chemical
residue and low toxicity to non-target species.
9
5. The phytochemical-based larvicidal formulation as claimed in claim 1, further
designed for scalable application in public health programs aimed at reducing
mosquito-borne diseases.

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