ASSESSEMENT OF LARVICIDAL ACTIVITY AND SKIN PENETRABILITY OF TULSI

Prevalence of mosquito borne diseases is one of the world’s most health hazardous problems like malaria, filariasis, etc. Also there are certain penetration enhancers available in market e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide, but they have disadvantages that they should be used below 1 % concentration due to its adverse effects. Natural penetration enhancers are rarely available in market but yet not studied for their full strength. Present study deals with larvicidal (Larvae: Aedes aegypti) activity and skin penetration activity of two different species of Tulsi i.e. Ocimum sanctum Linn. and Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn. (Labiatae). Tulsi contains mainly volatile oil which is composed of different types of terpenes in the form of apiol, anethole, eugenol, etc. Terpenes proved to have antibacterial activity, fungicidal activity, mosquito repellent activity, etc. Terpenes may also possess to have skin penetration activity of active drug due to their effect as reported i.e. counter – irritant. Both the species of Tulsi showed significant results in larvicidal as well as skin penetration activity as compared to standard drugs.