Promising Larvicidal Efficacy of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Mentha longifolia L., Mentha pulegium L., and Zataria multiflora Boiss. Essential Oils Against the Main Malaria Vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston

Purpose An attempt was made in the current study to develop a natural mosquito larvicide using nanotechnology. Methods Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing three essential oils were first prepared using the high-pressure homogenizer. Larvicidal effects of essential oils and the SLNs against Anopheles stephensi were then compared. Results The size of SLN containing Mentha longifolia, Mentha pulegium, Zataria multiflora essential oil was obtained as 105 +/- 7, 210 +/- 4, and 137 +/- 8 nm. Their zeta potentials were - 7.8, - 4.7, and - 9.7 mV. Besides, their efficacy with LC50 values of 24.79, 5.11, and 9.19 mu g/mL was significantly more potent than that of their un-formulated essential oils with LC50 values of 36.2, 27.55, and 33.33 mu g/mL. Conclusion SLNs containing M. pulegium with the best efficacy (P < 0.05) could be considered as potent larvicides against other important species of mosquitoes and field trials.

Automated summary

This study attempted to develop a natural mosquito larvicide using nanotechnology. The results showed that solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing Mentha longifolia, Mentha pulegium, and Zataria multiflora essential oil had a stronger larvicidal effect compared to their un-formulated essential oils. Among them, SLNs containing Mentha pulegium had the best efficacy.