Potential of Orthosiphon aristatus Blume Miq as Larvicide and Repellent (Review)

Background The tropical climate in Indonesia can potentially predispose to various diseases caused by mosquitoes, one of which is Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). Prevention by eradication of mosquito larvae (with larvicide) and mosquito bites (with repellent) is a strategic countermeasure to control DHF disease vectors. Larvicide and synthetic repellent use also can cause the development of resistance against the larvicide and thereby hurt humans. Therefore, it is necessary to find natural alternatives that are safe and more effective. One plant that has potential as a natural larvicide and repellent is the cat's whisker white-purple variety (Orthosiphon aristatus). The main secondary metabolite groups in white-purple cat whiskers are flavonoids and phenolics, and both groups are thought to have potential as larvicide and repellent. Objective This review aimed to analyze the potential of white-purple cat plants as larvicides and repellents. Methods Journal searches in this review came from primary data sources on the internet. Journal searches were conducted using search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. In this review, the prediction of the activity of the active compounds in cat's whiskers (sinensetin and rosmarinic acid) as larvicides was also carried out in an in silico study. Results The rosmarinic acid and sinensetin contained in cat's whiskers plants have the potential as larvicide and repellent Conclusion Based on the literature search, flavonoid, and phenolic compounds have potential as larvicides and repellent. The larvicide and repellent mechanisms of the two secondary metabolites are of concern because they can cause certain disorders in the central nervous system through skin absorption or breathing.