Application of Thai medicinal plants for controlling mosquito vectors

Abstract

       Mosquito-borne diseases continue to be a major public health problem causing not only high level morbidity and mortality, but also great socio-economical loss worldwide, particularly in tropical countries with a favorable climate for mosquito breeding and development, such as Thailand. Nowadays, substances of natural origin are increasing of attention as an attractive alternative in mosquito management, due to the environment and food safety, and the increasing resistance rates and public unacceptability of conventional synthetic insecticides. Plants and their products show great promise regarding discovery and development of new botanical insecticides. Despite some attempts being made, mosquitocidal properties of Thai indigenous plants have not been studied systematically. Therefore, the aim of this article is to serve as guidelines for insecticidal research of local medicinal plants or herbs. A review of the current stage of knowledge on mosquitoes and their medical importance, selection and preparation of plant samples, extraction processes, chemical analysis of plant-extracted substances, activity testing of plant products on mosquitoes, and production and development of plant-based insecticides used for controlling mosquitoes is presented. Scientific research by our team on the plant potential against mosquitoes also is reviewed.