Abstract

Damtew Bekele*

ABSTRACT

Attempts to wipe out the mosquito vector, which have been pursued for many years with synthetic insecticides is compromised by increased mosquito resistance to insecticides and use of inorganic insecticides raises environmental toxicity concerns. Due to public and user concerns of synthetic insecticides, plant product has become an important component in organized mosquito control and becoming widely accepted by many authorities including the World Health Organization. Therefore, Oreosyce africana as plant-based biodegradable insecticides would be used as alternatives to synthetic mosquitocides for the control of mosquito. Oreosyce africana was used for many ailments, ranging from anti-malarial to anti-gonorrhea treatment and anthelminthic. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of O. africana crude extracts is known to possess bioactive characteristics. The O. africana purified fractions had the most potent mosquitocidal active components with potency of impregnated nets lasted for two months. The structural elucidations of the active ingredients in the fractions were determined using a combination of 1H- 13C-NMR, DEPT-135 and GC-MS measurements. This revealed the presence of linoleic acid (9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- as the major chemical constituent in the first fraction and similar analysis of second fraction showed the presence of dibutyl phthalate as the major chemical constituent and both have proven insecticidal effects. Since the majority of populations at high risk of contracting malaria live in rural areas, insecticidal plants were used in Ethiopia for malaria control. This review is based from the perspective of traditional insecticidal properties of O. africana for their mosquitocidal efficacy, phytoconstituents and to promote traditional methods of mosquito control.