Development of a natural insect repellent for prolonged effects based on a nanotechnological matrix: evaluation of effectiveness, safety and sensory acceptability

• Grant number: 16/25009-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: September 01, 2017 - February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Vânia Rodrigues Leite e Silva
• Grantee: Vânia Rodrigues Leite e Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Newton Andréo Filho

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases affect millions of people worldwide each year. Aedes aegypti can transmit dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika viruses. Vector control and personal protection are essential to minimize the spread of disease, particularly in regions now infected with Zika virus. Repellent use is generally a safe, long-lasting and effective preventive measure that is also highly economical. DEET, the most common active used in repellent formulations on the market, has excellent efficacy against mosquitos. However, adverse effects can occur in humans following DEET application that can range from mild to severe and there is currently considerable interest in using natural plant extracts to replace DEET to avoid these adverse effects. Natural repellents such as essential oils of citronella and their terpene alcohols have shown good repellent properties in terms of their effectiveness and safety. Further enhancement by encapsulating these natural plant-based repellents in a nano-matrix formulation is expected to prolong their repellent action time and decrease the characteristic odor. For example, lipid nanoparticulate systems are currently little explored at the national level but are highly promising for the targeted skin delivery of bioactive substances. In this project we propose to carry out studies to develop and optimize lipid-based solid colloidal carriers for safe and effective delivery of plant-based insect repellents. This may open a new horizon for natural products to replace synthetic materials with significant toxicity, such as DEET. (AU)