Abstract

Phytochemical screening and larvicidal efficacy of extracts of Gnidia glauca (Fresen) Gilg

Author(s): H.R.Nethravathi, T.R.Prashith Kekuda, K.S.Vinayaka, N.B.Thippeswamy, S.J.Sudharshan, S.V.Praveen Kumar

Mosquitoes are the most important single group of insects acting as vector for many tropical and subtropical diseases such as dengue fever, yellowfever, malaria, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis and others. The present study was conducted to screen phytoconstituents and larvicidal potential of methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and petroleum ether extracts of Gnidia glauca (Fresen) Gilg. The preliminary phytochemical tests showed the presence of tannins, terpenoids, steroids, saponins and flavonoids. Larvicidal activity in terms of % larval mortality was performed using 2nd instar larvae of Aedes aegypti.Adose dependent larval mortality was observed. At concentration 20mg/ml, all the extracts showed 100% larvicidalmortality. The larvicidal potential of the solvent extracts could be mainly due to the presence of various phytoconstituents. Further studies are to be conducted to isolate active constituents and to find out their efficacy against larvae.