Der Pharmacia Lettre
Abstract
Author(s): Vinayaka K.S, Prashith Kekuda T.R, Nandini K.C, Rakshitha M.N, Ramya Martis, Shruthi J, Nagashree G.R, Anitha B
Capsicum frutescens (L.) var. longum (Solanaceae) is a well used tropical and subtropical
medicinal plant. The present study was undertaken to investigate insecticidal activity of different
concentrations of methanol extract of fruits and leaves of C. frutescens against 2nd and 3rd instar
larvae of Aedes aegypti. The mortality of the larvae was found to be concentration dependent.
Among larvae, 2nd instar larvae were shown to be more sensitive than 3rd instar larvae. The fruit
extract has shown more killing effect than leaf extract. Preliminary phytochemical analysis
showed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, steroids and glycosides in both extracts. The
larvicidal activity of methanol extract may be attributed to the presence of phytoconstituents.
This is the first report on the insecticidal potential of C. frutescens. Further studies on isolation
of active compounds, mechanism of action, toxicity and field trials are under investigation.
