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Evaluation of the repellent effects of Nepeta parnassica extract, essential oil, and its major nepetalactone metabolite against mosquitoes

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Abstract

The dichloromethane-methanol extract, the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from Nepeta parnassica, and the isolated 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone were evaluated for their repellent effect against the mosquitoes Aedes (Stegomyia) cretinus Edwards and Culex pipiens pipiens biotype molestus Forskål. The chemical analysis of N. parnassica essential oil, dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes (87 %), revealed 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone (36.8 %), 1,8-cineole (25.5 %), and 4aα,7β,7aβ-nepetalactone (11.1 %) as the major constituents. The results of the insect bioassays showed that the essential oil and the dichloromethane-methanol extract of N. parnassica were very active against Aedes cretinus for up to 3 h and against Culex pipiens for up to 2 h post application. The isolated 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone showed very high mosquito repellency for periods of at least 2 h against both species.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Theophanis Constandinidis (Department of Ecology and Systematics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) for the plant identification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli Zographou, 157 71, Athens, Greece

    G. Gkinis, E. Ioannou, O. Tzakou & V. Roussis

  2. Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 S. Delta Str. 14561 Kifissia, Athens, Greece

    A. Michaelakis

  3. Laboratory of Biological Control of Pesticides, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 S. Delta Str. 14561 Kifissia, Athens, Greece

    G. Koliopoulos

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  1. G. Gkinis
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  2. A. Michaelakis
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  3. G. Koliopoulos
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  4. E. Ioannou
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  5. O. Tzakou
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  6. V. Roussis
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Correspondence to O. Tzakou.

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Gkinis, G., Michaelakis, A., Koliopoulos, G. et al. Evaluation of the repellent effects of Nepeta parnassica extract, essential oil, and its major nepetalactone metabolite against mosquitoes. Parasitol Res 113, 1127–1134 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3750-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3750-3

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