ABSTRACT
Abstract@#Introduction: Mosquitoes are important vectors responsible for transmission of many pathogens that cause major human morbidity and mortality. Natural repellents such as essential oils may provide a means of protection from mosquito bites that are safe and more pleasant to use. Methods: In this study, essential oils from the flowers of Jasminum officinale and Anthemis nobilis were characterised by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and were further tested for their repellent efficacy, individually and in combinations, against Aedes aegypti using a rat model. Results: Forty-two compounds accounting for 77.50% of J. officinale essential oil and fifty-one compounds representing 87.96% of A. nobilis essential oil were identified. Oxygenated monoterpenes and diterpenes constituted 31.14% and 21.20% of J. officinale essential oil, respectively. For A. nobilis essential oil, oxygenated monoterpenes accounted for 84.79% of the compounds identified. The essential oils of J. officinale and A. nobilis at 20% concentration provided repellency of 68.45% and 73.15%, respectively, against Ae. aegypti for 120 min. The mixture of essential oils in a 1:1 ratio (JC1) exhibited 88.20% repellency for 120 min, which was significantly higher than the repellency of 20% concentration of the individual oils. Conclusion: The synergistic interactions among the varied constituents of J. officinale and A. nobilis essential oils enhanced the mosquito repellent activity
ABSTRACT
Matricaria recutita L. (syn. M. chamomilla L., Chamomilla recutita L. Rauschert) is known as true chamomile or German chamomile and Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All. (syn. Anthemis nobilis L.) is known as Roman chamomile. The biological activity of chamomile is mainly due to the flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, patuletin and essential oil constituents such as α-bisabolol and its oxides and azulenes. There are several chamomile chemocultivars. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, deodorant, bacteriostatic, antimicrobial, carminative, sedative, antiseptic, anticatarrhal and spasmolytic properties. It is used to treat sleep problems. Researchers indicated that the pharmacological effect of German chamomile is mainly connected with its essential oils. Environmental conditions and stresses can alter active substances of chamomile. This review focuses on characteristics, secondary metabolites and utilization of German and Roman chamomile.