Prevention of Dengue fever through plant based mosquito repellent Clausena dentata (Willd.) M. Roem (Family: Rutaceae) essential oil against Aedes aegypti l. (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquito.
BACKGROUND
Plant based repellent against mosquito borne diseases are used recently because synthetic repellents cause side effects like breathing problem, eye irritation, head ache, cough, etc. The use of natural products for dengue control would protect the environment, reduce dependence on expensive synthetic repellents and also generate local employment.


METHODS
Essential oil was isolated by steam distillation which was used against the bites of Aedes aegypti and duration of protection period was assessed. Skin-irritant potential test was also conducted on 25 healthy volunteers by using four-point scale.


RESULTS
The increase in the concentrations of essential oil increased the mean protection time against the bites of Aedes aegypti. The lowest mean protection time was 180.0 min for 2.5% and highest time of 255.0 min for 10%. The mean score of zero for skin-irritant potential test for all the concentrations indicated that the essential oil did not cause irritation to human skin.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicated that the use of plant based repellent for the control of dengue fever would replace the currently used synthetic repellents which causes many side effects.
Rajkumar
S
S
Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, A.VC. College, Mannampandal, Tamil Nadu, India. drrajvec@rediffmail.com
Jebanesan
A
A
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000330:Aedes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D054700:Clausena; D003715:Dengue / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D019223:Densovirinae / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018515:Plant Leaves; D023422:Skin Irritancy Tests; D013997:Time Factors
D007302:Insect Repellents; D009822:Oils, Volatile