THE 4TH PHARMACY

RESEARCH CONGRESS 2015

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFICACY OF OILS OF Azadirachta indica and Zingiber officinale IN FORMULATION
WITH COMMERCIAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT AGAINST Aedes aegypti (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)
Kenneth G. Dayrit1,2,3,4, Alexandra N. de Padua1,2,3,4, Nio V. Gomez1,2,3,4, Paula P. Gutierrez1,2,3,4, Nathalie C. Hulleza1,2,3,4, Maria M. Martinez1,2,3,4
Christina G. Sabroso, RPh, MSPharm (Adviser)
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, 2College of Pharmacy, 3Reseach Development and Innovation Center, 4Our Lady of Fatima University

One of the prevalent concerns in the tropical and subtropical areas is dengue transmission. The most vital precautionary measure has been focused on
personal protection and control intervention. The use of repellent seems to be the fundamental method of personal protection against annoyance and
infection. The study sought to formulate an herbal pump spray repellent that contains Ginger oil and Neem oil. The formulated herbal was evaluated by
laboratory evaluation (arm-in-cage set-up) through which complete protection time (CPT) and percent protection (%P) were determined. The results
showed that formulated herbal (2% Ginger:5% Neem) is an effective repellent and is more effective than formulated herbal (2% Neem:5% Ginger) in %P.
The formulated herbal (2G:5N) provided a mean %P of 80.98 and a complete protection time (CPT) of 30 to 60 minutes. Analysis of variation exhibited
among experimental, positive, and negative group was analyzed by conducting Friedman's Two-way ANOVA of the mean CPT and %P. Further data
were analyzed by Pairwise comparison to compare the positive and negative control with the experimental group. In all mean CPT, there is a significant
difference between the negative control and the experimental group. While in mean %P, the negative control is significantly different to formulated herbal
(2G:5N), commercial herbal (citronella), and commercial synthetic (7.5% DEET). Also, %P of 2G:5N is not significantly different to commercial synthetic
and herbal. It implies that 2G:5N is comparable to commercial synthetic and herbal. The study is commendable in providing evidence for the potential of
oils contained in the formulated herbal in developing novel herbal repellents against mosquitoes.
Key words Aedes aegypti, Formulation, Ginger, Mosquito, Neem, Repellent
100
In the Philippines, mosquito-borne infection specifically dengue has been
a prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality that causes widespread
concern in our times. Repellents are practical and economical means of
preventing transmission of these infections to humans. Herbal repellents are
extensively used because this is the only protection available from mosquito
bites among poorer communities.
The study have made considerable efforts to promote the use of herbal
repellents. The study have conducted laboratory evaluation on the repellent
activity of a formulated herbal. The dose of formulated herbal was assessed
at
predetermined
concentrations2%
Ginger:5%
Neem
and
5% Ginger:2% Neem. Repellency testing was conducted wherein five test
treatmentsformulated herbal (2G:5N), formulated herbal (2N:5G),
commercial herbal (HomeLife Citronella Twist Spray Lavander),
commercial synthetic (repellent lotion with 7.5% DEET), and negative
control (formulated herbal without the oils)were used against Ae. aegypti.

80
60

CPT

40

%P

20
0
Formulated herbal
Formulated herbal
(2G:5N)
(2N:5G) Commercial synthetic
(7.5% DEET) Commercial herbal
(citronella)

%P
CPT
Negative

The formulated herbal (2G:5N) provided mean %P of 80.98 and a

complete protection time (CPT) of 30 to 60 minutes. In all mean CPT, there
is a significant difference between the negative control and the experimental
group. While in mean %P, the negative control is significantly different to
formulated herbal (2G:5N), commercial herbal (citronella), and commercial
synthetic (7.5% DEET). Also, 2G:5N is not significantly different to
commercial synthetic and commercial herbal. It implies that %P of 2G:5N is
comparable to commercial synthetic and commercial herbal.

The results identified in the study are helpful for the community who
live in such places that are highly reported of dengue cases. They can use
the formulated herbal as a precautionary measures in preventing
outbreak or lowering the casualties of mosquito-borne pathogen
transmission. Evidence of repellency of the incorporated oils of Neem
(Azadirachta indica) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) was able to present by
the research which makes it a source for developing novel herbal
repellents against mosquitoes.

The research was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a formulated

herbal with Ginger oil and Neem oil as a potential mosquito repellent.
Identification tests were performed including physicochemical
characterization and instrumental assay. It was also supported by the FTIR
result which shows the functional groups present in the Ginger oil and
Neem oil. Both oils contains ketone/ ester/ carboxylic acid carbonyl stretch
and aromatic ring which is their characteristic functional group of
triterpenoids (Neem) and sesquiterpenes (Ginger). The repellency testing
conducted by the researchers was laboratory evaluation (arm-in-cage setup) wherein five treatments were used against Aedes aegypti. The results
showed that formulated herbal (2G:5N) is an effective repellent and is more
effective than formulated herbal (2N:5G) in %P.

The researchers were able to meet the main purpose of the study,
which is to evaluate the formulated herbal as a potential mosquito
repellent by looking for the significant differences among treatments. But
there are still some areas that could be further improved on. The research
design can be improved by making the laboratory evaluation in
randomized, double-blinded, and crossover method. Future researchers
are recommended to study on the minimum effective dose of the said oils.
They can conduct other design for the evaluation such as field evaluation.
It is also recommended to know if there is synergism of repellency of the
two plant variables. The future researchers may also want to consider
product development and reformulation specially in the aspects of
stability-compatibility.