Plants are a treasure trove of biological materials containing a wide range of potential phytochemicals that are
target-specific, rapidly biodegradable, and environmentally friendly, with multiple medicinal effects. Unfortunately,
the development of resistance to synthetic pesticides and antibiotics led to the discovery of new antibiotics,
antioxidants, and biopesticides. This has also led to the creation of new medications that work very well.
The current study aimed to prove that ornamental plants contain specialized active substances that are used in
several biological processes. Mosquitoes, one of the deadliest animals on the planet, cause millions of fatalities
each year by transmitting several human illnesses. Phytochemicals are possible biological agents for controlling
pests that are harmful. The potential of leaf extracts of Bougainvillea glabra, Delonix regia, Lantana camara, and
Platycladus orientalis against Culex pipiens and microbial agents was evaluated. Acetone extracts had more toxic
effects against Cx. pipiens larvae (99.0–100 %, 72 h post-treatment), and the LC50 values were 142.8, 189.5, 95.4,
and 71.1 ppm for B. glabra, D. regia, L. camara, and P. orientalis, respectively. Plant extracts tested in this study
showed high insecticidal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential. GC-MS and HPLC analyses showed a higher
number of terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. The ADME analysis of element, caryophyllene oxide,
caryophyllene, and copaene showed that they were similar to drugs and that they were better absorbed by the
body and able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. Our results confirm the ability of ornamental plants to
have promising larvicidal and antimicrobial activity and biotechnology |
