Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Mosquito Repellent Spray and Creams Using Artemisia annua against disease causing mosquitoes.

Dr. Hemand Aravind, Niranjana and Treesa K James

Viral diseases transmitted by vectors include Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya fever, Zika virus fever, Yellow fever, West Nile fever, and Japanese encephalitis—all of which are transmitted by mosquitoes and contribute to over 700,000 deaths annually worldwide. The burden of these diseases is particularly high in tropical and subtropical regions, disproportionately affecting the poorest populations.

At the same time, urban populations face an increasing threat of mosquito-borne diseases due to poor drainage systems and high mosquito densities. Among various vector control strategies, the use of mosquito repellents is one of the most accessible and widely adopted preventive measures.

However, the excessive use of synthetic repellents such as DEET, IR3535, and pyrethroids has raised health concerns, including allergic reactions, neurological issues, and endocrine disruptions in both children and adults. As a safer alternative, aromatic oils from plant sources have gained popularity. These essential oils, known for their non-toxic nature and olfactory masking properties, are increasingly accepted as effective substitutes for synthetic repellents.

In this study, we aim to formulate and evaluate the mosquito-repellent efficacy of a herbal spray and cream based on essential oils extracted from Artemisia annua—a medicinal herb well known for its antimalarial and insect-repellent properties. In light of growing concerns over the health risks of chemical repellents, this research seeks to develop a safe, natural alternative for mosquito control.

Materials and Methods:

Fresh leaves of A. annua were collected from Theni, Tamil Nadu, and subjected to hexane extraction and hydro-distillation to isolate essential oils. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and coumarins, compounds known for insecticidal and repellent activity. GC-MS analysis identified key bioactive constituents such as artemisia ketone, eugenol, and linalool, which are linked to mosquito repellency.

Larvicidal bioassays demonstrated significant mortality against mosquito larvae at varying concentrations. Repellency tests using a Y-tube olfactometer revealed that the essential oil of A. annua exhibited notable effectiveness in deterring adult mosquitoes.

A solvent based mosquito repellent spray and a cream (F1) was formulated using the A. annua essential oil and extract along with natural ingredients like beeswax, sesame oil, and shea butter. The cream was evaluated for physicochemical and cosmetic parameters, including texture, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, washability, and thermal stability. The formulation showed favourable characteristics and was found to be non-irritant in safety testing.

A practical repellency test using a plastic cage setup demonstrated that the A. annua cream achieved up to 72% mosquito repellency, affirming its potential as a natural, effective, and skin-friendly alternative to conventional repellents. This research supports the further development of A. annua-based formulations as eco-conscious, commercially viable mosquito repellents.