~ 32 ~ International Journal of Mosquito Research 2022; 9(1): 32-37 ISSN: 2348-5906 CODEN: IJMRK2 IJMR 2022; 9(1): 32-37 © 2022 IJMR www.dipterajournal.com Received: 13-11-2021 Accepted: 15-12-2021 Suraj Chetri Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Assam, India Lupamudra Borah Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Assam, India Sasanka Sekhar Ghosh Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Assam, India Rezina Ahmed Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Assam, India Parag Deka Department of Zoology, Pandu College, Assam, India Corresponding Author: Sasanka Sekhar Ghosh Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Assam, India Larvicidal efficacy of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) on larvae of culex: An in silico approach Suraj Chetri, Lupamudra Borah, Sasanka Sekhar Ghosh, Rezina Ahmed and Parag Deka DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23487941.2022.v9.i1a.577 Abstract Culex is a genus of mosquitos responsible for the transmission of various vector-borne diseases in humans. They spread diseases like Japanese encephalitis, West Nile fever, St. Louis encephalitis, Filariasis, etc. The present study focuses on the larvicidal activity of botanical products in the control of these disease vectors. Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) are used for the in- silico analysis of their action as larvicides. The larvicidal activity of the test extracts are also studied through larval toxicity tests. A comparative analysis of the results is prepared to understand the effect of Neem and Turmeric in the biocontrol of the target species. Keywords: alpha amylase, bio control, glutathione s transferase, larvicides, mosquito Introduction Mosquito-borne diseases are predominant in more than 100 nations across the world, consistently contaminating north of 700,000,000 individuals universally and 40,000,000 of the Indian populace [1] . Mosquitoes carry serious vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, hemorrhagic fever, filariasis, etc., responsible for killing millions of people each year [2] . Broad utilization of insecticides or substance insect poisons for control of vector-borne infections has led to issues such as physiological resistance of vectors, antagonistic ecological impacts, and high functional expense etc [3] . Because of widespread insecticide resistance in mosquitoes [4] , consideration has been pulled together towards the pre- DDT period control apparatuses including larval control and environmental management [5, 6] . Considering this, the use of eco-accommodating options such as organic control of vectors has turned into the focal point of the control program. Nonchemical larval control may include botanical larvicides [7] , natural predators [8, 9] , pathogenic fungi [10] . But no matter which method is used, it is important to determine whether mosquitoes will continue to oviposit in treated larval habitats [11] . Plants produce numerous chemicals, many of which have medicinal and insecticidal properties. More than 2000 plant species have been known to produce chemical factors and metabolites of value in pest control [1] . Plant species belonging to families such as Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Cladophoraceae, Labiatae, Miliaceae, Oocystaceae, and Rutaceae have shown to have larvicidal, adult killing or repellent activities against different species of mosquitoes [7] . Botanical larvicides derived from Azadirachta indica and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) are known to show considerable success in the control of mosquito vectors [12-14] . Based on available literature, the plant phytochemicals of Neem and Turmeric were thus used for in silico analysis of their effect on the target species. In-silico analysis in drug design allows a more precise and fast understanding of the interactions of the test molecules with the target receptors. Similar computer-based methods are used to study the interactions of the phytochemicals present in neem and turmeric with the receptors of the target species. A list of plant phytochemicals was prepared from available literature [15-17] . The receptors were selected based on their function in the biochemical processes of the target organism. For the current study, Glutathione S Transferase and Alpha-Amylase were chosen as target receptors.