Larvicidal activity

The present study was performed with the objectives of elaborating the larvicidal efficacy of Methanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus (MECL) leaves against Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. It has been reported used widely in traditional herbal medicine. The leaves of Citrullus lanatus is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, mosquitocidal,    gonorrhea and anti-microbial property. The larvicidal activity of plant extract was carried out on late 3rd and early 4th instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi, a primary vector of urban malaria, Culex quinquefaciatus, a common vector of filariasis, Aedes aegypti, common vector of dengue and yellow fever. LC50 and LC90 of MECL were determined against Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti by using Abbott’s formula. LC50 and LC 90 of MECL against Anopheles stephensi were found to be 84.23ppm & 989.396ppm. LC50 and LC90 of MECL against Culex quinquefasciatus were found to be 51.31ppm &405.88ppm. The LC50 was found to be 2645ppm or 2.645%v/v for Aedes agypti. The LC90 value was found to be 138326ppm or 138.326%v/v for Aedes agypti The results of the present study suggest that methanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus showed promising larvicidal activity against important vectors of malaria, filarial, dengue, dengue haemorrhagic fever, yellow fever, chikungunya.