ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Evaluation Of Computational And Insecticidal Activities Of Oils From Ocimum Gratissimum And Cymbopogon Citratus Against Anopheles Gambiae Mosquito

EBUBE JOAN ELELEGU 1
CHUKWUDI CYRIL DUNKWU
KINGSLEY CHINEDU
JACKSON EROZUEME ONUELU
INNOCENT ONYESOM 1

1Delta State University

DOI: 10.4314/
Published: December 1, 2025

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the insecticidal and computational activities of essential oils from Ocimum gratissimum (OgEO), Cymbopogon citratus (CcEO), their combination (OgEO+CcEO), and permethrin against Anopheles gambiae mosquito stages.

Materials and Methods: Permethrin the standard chemical insecticide, demonstrated superior efficacy, with LC50 values of 0.1 ± 0.07 µg/mL (adulticidal), 0.001 ± 0.006 µg/mL (pupicidal), 0.005 ± 0.0003 µg/mL (larvicidal), and 0.01 ± 0.004 µg/mL (ovicidal), significantly lower than other treatments (p < 0.05). The OgEO+CcEO combination exhibited synergistic effects, with LC50 values of 4.5 ± 0.2 µg/mL (adulticidal), 5.0 ± 0.4 µg/mL (pupicidal), 1.6 ± 0.3 µg/mL (larvicidal), and 1.3 ± 0.2 µg/mL (ovicidal), outperforming individual oils (p < 0.05). OgEO was more effective than CcEO, with LC50 values of 5.7 ± 0.3 µg/mL (adulticidal) and 1.8 ± 0.5 µg/mL (ovicidal) compared to CcEO's 6.3 ± 0.2 µg/mL and 5.1 ± 0.2 µg/mL, respectively. In silico study revealed strong binding of thymol (OgEO) to catalase (-5.14 docking score, -61.84 kCal/mol MMGBSA) and γ-muurolene (CcEO) to chorion peroxidase (-5.85 docking score, -74.65 kCal/mol MMGBSA), indicating disruption of key mosquito proteins involved in oxidative stress and eggshell formation.

Results: Pharmacokinetic analyses highlighted thymol's high gastrointestinal absorption and blood-brain barrier permeability, suggesting systemic toxicity, while γ-muurolene's high lipophilicity supports its suitability for topical or volatile applications. Both oils exhibited significant reduction in mosquito reproduction and enhancing their vector control potential.

Conclusion: Despite permethrin's unmatched efficacy, the OgEO+CcEO combination offers a promising eco-friendly alternative due to its synergy and lower environmental impact.

Keywords

Essential oil, Ocimum gratissimum, Cymbopogon citratus, Anopheles gambiae, Insecticidal, Synergistic effect
database

Data Availability

All data will be made available by the authors on request.

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Published in Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025): African Journal of Tropical Medicine and Biomedical Research, December 2025.

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ELELEGU EJ, DUNKWU CC, CHINEDU K, ONUELU JE, ONYESOM I. Evaluation Of Computational And Insecticidal Activities Of Oils From Ocimum Gratissimum And Cymbopogon Citratus Against Anopheles Gambiae Mosquito. Afr. J. Trop. Med. Biomed. Res. [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1 [cited 2026 May 31];8(2):34-49. Available from: https://www.ajtmbr.org.ng/index.php/home/article/view/170
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