Mosquito repellent activity of essential oil of Ethiopian ethnomedicinal plant against Afro-tropical malarial vector Anopheles arabiensis

In Ethiopia, malaria remains to be one of the major public health issues that causes significant impediment to socio-economic development too. A laboratory-based study has been conducted to evaluate the repellency of Ethiopian ethnomedicinal plant Tedh [vernacular name (local native language, Amharic); Juniperus procera (Cupressaceae)], against Afro-tropical malarial vector, Anopheles arabiensis Patton at four different concentrations viz., 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/cm2. Experimentation on the percentage of protection in relation to the dosage has been performed. The tested concentrations of the essential oil of J. procera exhibited various degrees of repellency in terms of percentage of repellency and complete protection time against female An. arabiensis viz., 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/cm2 [64.10% (92 min)], [68.10% (125 min)], [72.20% (190 min)], and [80.60% (311 min)], respectively. Student’s t-test results show statistically significant (P < 0.001) [0.1 mg/cm2 (t = 82.7; df = 4); 0.15 mg/cm2 (t = 124.8; df = 4); 2.5 mg/cm2 (t = 25.3; df = 4); 5.0 mg/cm2 (t = 175.3; df = 4)] difference between treated and control groups. The examined essential oil exhibited significant repellent properties and it has been identified that it could serve as a potent repellent against insect vectors of disease. In Africa, Tedh is well-known as a therapeutic agent to treat various illness and insects’ repellent plant to drive-away insect vector of diseases. As the essential oil of Tedh is exceptionally safe and economical it could serve as a potent personal protective tool to minimize the burden of insect-transmitted diseases particularly malaria in the future.