Nanoparticles of Herbs for Vector Control

The activity of herbal medicines is because of the active constituents present in them, which show synergistic action and thus enhance the curative value (Lu et al. 2007 ; Williamson 2001 ).

However, most of the herbal constituents are poorly water soluble because of their hydropho-bic nature, which leads to decreased bioavailabil-ity. Nanoparticles are utilized to increase the herbal drug solubility and for helping in localiz-ing the drug specifi city in the body.

Nanoparticulate formulations such as polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, proliposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles and microemulsions have the potential to deliver herbal medicines effectively (Thapa et al. 2013 ). Hence, insecticidal herbal drugs in the form of nanoparticles will be of immense use in controlling disease vector as in the form of nanoparticles; the effi ciency of insec-ticidal drugs will be at its best.

2.6 Conclusion

Our country possesses a rich biodiversity of medicinal plants, which are used for various pur-poses. The active principles of the herbs have unique bioactivities, e.g. growth-promoting abil-ity, modulating immune system, antimicrobial capability, appetizing and antistress activities.

The major active principles of biomedicines include alkaloids, fl avonoids, pigments, pheno-lics, terpenoids, starch, steroids and essential oils. The use of biomedicines will certainly reduce the use of synthetic compounds, reduce the cost and be an eco-friendly approach to solve the menace of pests.

metabolites due to their co-evolution with insects, and these serve as defence chemicals against pest attack. Researchers have discovered a completely new paradigm for the control of vectors using sec-ondary plant products, which may be toxic to spe-cifi c vectors while harmless to nontarget organisms. More than 2,000 plant species of dif-ferent families and genera have been reported to contain toxic principles effective against insects.

There are many plant species containing com-pounds lethal to target as well as nontarget organ-isms, which are much below those for synthetic pyrethroids. Moreover, such products have the further advantage of biodegradability, as all such compounds are not only confi ned to the plants in which they are found but also get disseminated in the environment. An important issue about herbal insecticides/pesticides is that there are reports of toxicity. However, very little literature is available on their mode of action and effects on other organ-isms. But the hope is that they are safe, as these have been used by mankind for pest management without polluting the environment since ages.

It is anticipated that herbaceous products not only can control the plant/animal disease vectors, storage insects, predatory fi shes and mosquitoes but are easily available and inexpensive and have easy biodegradability and greater acceptance amongst the users. It is apparent that with the rapid advancements in biotechnology, such valu-able plant pesticide products can be sourced from industries using biotechnological methods also, other than only plant source, and thus in a plant and season-independent manner for sustainable vector management.

Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for funding and support. Special thanks are due to Dr. Manas K. Mandal, Director General, Life Sciences for his wholehearted support and guidance.

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