Exploring the larvicidal and repellent potentials of silver nanoparticles greenly synthesized using three Congolese plant extracts against Anopheles gambiae along with molecular docking analysis - 2026
Exploring the larvicidal and repellent potentials of silver nanoparticles greenly synthesized using three Congolese plant extracts against Anopheles gambiae along with molecular docking analysis
Zola, Eunice N.; Muanga Kalunda, Claude Josué; Kyana, Josephet al.
[en] Chemical larvicides and repellents have long been used to combat Anopheles gambiae, the primary malaria vector. However, their prolonged application has raised significant concerns regarding environmental toxicity, human health risks, and the emergence of resistant mosquito populations. This study presents a sustainable alternative consisting of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from Lippia multiflora, Ocimum gratissimum, and Tetradenia riparia. These nanoparticles were characterized using several techniques, including UV–visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, revealing their spherical structure with diameters of 20–50 nm and stabilization by plant secondary metabolites. Aqueous suspensions of AgNPs derived from these three plants demonstrated dose-dependent larvicidal efficacy, achieving up to 95% mortality, while creams containing AgNPs from Lippia multiflora and Ocimum gratissimum exhibited an impressive 85% repellent efficiency. Molecular docking studies revealed that secondary metabolites used as capping agents enhanced larvicidal activity by inhibiting angiostensin converting enzyme of Anopheles gambiae (AnoACE2), further demonstrating the synergistic role of these metabolites in stabilising and boosting AgNPs efficacy. These findings highlight the potential of green-synthesized AgNPs as an eco-friendly and effective alternative to conventional chemical larvicides and repellents, addressing a pressing global need for sustainable mosquito control strategies. By leveraging the bioactivity of plant-derived compounds, this approach minimises environmental and health risks while offering high efficacy against malaria vectors. This research underscores the significant role of green nanotechnology in developing innovative solutions to vector control, paving the way for its integration into holistic malaria prevention programs and the fight against other mosquito-borne diseases.
Disciplines :
Entomology & pest control
Author, co-author :
Zola, Eunice N. ✱; Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshas, Congo ; Centre de Recherche et d'Innovation Technologique en Environnement et en Sciences de la Santé (CRITESS), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo
Muanga Kalunda, Claude Josué ✱; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Entomologie, Phytopathologie et Productions Innovantes (EPPI)
Kyana, Joseph ✱; Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshas, Congo ; Centre de Recherche et d'Innovation Technologique en Environnement et en Sciences de la Santé (CRITESS), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo
Luzala, Miryam M.; Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshas, Congo ; Centre de Recherche et d'Innovation Technologique en Environnement et en Sciences de la Santé (CRITESS), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo
Wendji, Sebastien N.; Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshas, Congo ; Centre de Recherche et d'Innovation Technologique en Environnement et en Sciences de la Santé (CRITESS), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo
Tshimanga, Clément M.; Toxicology and Food Hygiene laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceuticals Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo
Safari, Justin B. ; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Public Health, Official University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Congo ; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
Nsabatien, Victoire; Laboratory of Bioecology and Vector Control (BIOLAV), Department of Environmental Health, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Congo
Zanga, Josué; Laboratory of Bioecology and Vector Control (BIOLAV), Department of Environmental Health, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Congo
Metelo, Emery M.; Laboratory of Bioecology and Vector Control (BIOLAV), Department of Environmental Health, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Congo
Nuapia, Yannick B.; Toxicology and Food Hygiene laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceuticals Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo ; Pharmacy Department, School of Healthcare Sciences, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, Polokwane, South Africa
Memvanga, Patrick B.; Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshas, Congo ; Centre de Recherche et d'Innovation Technologique en Environnement et en Sciences de la Santé (CRITESS), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo
✱ These authors have contributed equally to this work.
Language :
English
Title :
Exploring the larvicidal and repellent potentials of silver nanoparticles greenly synthesized using three Congolese plant extracts against Anopheles gambiae along with molecular docking analysis
EC - European Commission Osteoporosis Canada UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization TWAS - The World Academy of Sciences
Funding text :
This work was supported by the Institut de la Francophonie pour le D\u00E9veloppement Durable (IFDD/Canada) through the Projet de D\u00E9ploiement des Technologies et Innovations Environnementales (PDTIE), funded by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie ( OIF ), the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States ( OACPS ), and the European Union (EU) under grant FED/2020/421\u2013370 . Additionally, we acknowledge financial support from UNESCO through the TWAS SG-NAPI grant ( 4500454115 ).
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