Evaluation of
Pogostemon quadrifolius Leaf Extract as a Potential Mosquito Pupicide: Phytochemical
Screening and Environmental Effects
Shonima Govindan M., Shainy N.K., Shaima, Sruthi K.P. and Sahila M.M.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(6); 57-65;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/206rjbt057065; (2025)
Abstract
A fragrant plant in the Lamiaceae family, Pogostemon quadrifolius (Benth.) is used
in Indian traditional medicine owing to its antiproliferative, antioxidants and
mosquito-larvicidal qualities. This study aims to assess the pupicidal efficacy
of Pogostemon quadrifolius leaves extracted towards Culex quinquefasciatus and to
conduct phytochemical analysis. A variety of solvents were tested for their capacity
to kill Culex quinquefasciatus pupae, notably petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone
and a methanol extract of dried Pogostemon quadrifolius leaves. The mortality was
noted following a 24-hour exposure and the pupicidal bioassay was conducted using
the WHO standard procedure. The lethal concentration was determined by doing probit
analysis on the mortality data and it was found to be 182 ppm. The maximum pupal
mortality was seen in an extract of petroleum ether at 100 ppm. A phytochemical
analysis of the potent crude extracts revealed the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids,
flavonoids and saponins.
TLC was used to screen the PE extract's constituents. Toluene: ethyl acetate (9:1)
showed the highest separation. The initial investigation into the impact of PE extract
on P. quadrifolius in soil and water samples treated with the highest concentration
(500 ppm) of PE extract revealed no appreciable variations in the parameters of
the treated and normal water samples. Turbidity is determined to be higher than
the desired limit in the water sample that was treated with PE extract. The present
research provides the description about the mosquitoes pupicidal effect of P. quadrifolius
extract of leaves against C. quinquefasciatus pupae.
