Work

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Croton sertanejus Essential Oil Against Aedes aegypti and Preliminary Toxicity in Mus Musculus

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the essential oil (EO) from Croton sertanejus leaves against Aedes aegypti , analyzing spatial repellency (SR), topical effective concentration (EC), EC protection time, oviposition deterrence, and preliminary toxicity in Mus musculus . Additionally, the chemical composition of the oil was characterized. Results showed a significant SR of 0.2 starting from 1 mg/cm 2 . The ECs required to repel 50% and 99% of the mosquitoes were 3 and 109 mg/cm 2 , respectively. The EC of 109 mg/cm 2 provided 64.8% protection against landings within 360 min and 100% protection against blood‐feeding for 150 min. The EO significantly reduced oviposition at water volumes of 20 mL (beginning at 2.5 mg/mL) and 500 mL (beginning at 0.005 mg/mL); however, no significant effect was observed at 1000 mL. No mortality occurred in Mus musculus . However, at a dose of 2000 mg/kg, a significant reduction in brain weight was observed, while at 300 mg/kg, an increase in lung and kidney weights occurred. At 2000 mg/kg, there were also elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, alongside a reduction in creatinine. Regarding the chemical composition, eucalyptol was the main component. Therefore, these findings underscore the need for further validation.

Source: Chemistry & Biodiversity

DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.71759