Toxicity, Biochemical Impact, and Bioinformatics Analysis of Jujube Oil on <i>Culex pipiens</i> Larvae

Culex pipiens (Cx. pipiens) are ubiquitous vectors of public health pathogens responsible for numerous human diseases. Consequently, their management is imperative. So, this study aimed to assess the susceptibility of third instar larvae of Cx. pipiens to distinct concentrations of jujube oil, LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ were determined. Also, the developmental duration of immatures, percentage of emerged adults, and the physiological responses at the sublethal concentration were recorded. GC-MS analysis was carried out to characterize the fractions of the jujube oil. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis was utilized. The results showed that the third instar larvae were susceptible to jujube oil, with larval mortality escalating in correlation with increased oil concentration and exposure time. Sublethal exposure to the oil significantly prolonged the larval developmental duration from 11 days of control to 15 days of treated. Conversely, the percentage of the emerged adults were decreased from 88.89% in the control to 17.78%in the treated. The data also indicated that the treatment of the larvae with the sublethal concentration significantly decreased the activities of acetylcholinesterase, glutathione S transferase, arginine kinase, cytochrome P450, and ecdysone. Conversely, the titers of catalase and 3-hydroxykynurenine were increased. The GC-MS analysis identified 9-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E)-, Octadecanoic acid, methyl ester and Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester as predominant components. Bioinformatics assessments indicated ecdysone, juvenile hormone, and tryptophan oxygenase showed the lowest binding affinity scores. In sum, this study supports the potential of jujube oil as an effective alternative botanical agent for control of Cx. pipiens larvae.