Larvicidal Efficacy Against Dengue Vector Aedes aegypti and Antibacterial Activity of Leaf Ethyl Acetate Extract of Clerodendrum indicum (L.) Kuntze

Clerodendrum indicum , a traditionally used medicinal plant in South and Southeast Asia, was evaluated for the bioactivity of its ethyl acetate leaf extract (EAECI). The extract showed strong larvicidal and ovicidal effects against Aedes aegypti , producing dose-dependent larval mortality with LC₅₀ values of 187.427 µg/mL at 12 hours and 106.019 µg/mL at 24 hours. Complete ovicidal activity occurred at 350 µg/mL. EAECI exposure induced oxidative stress in larvae, evidenced by elevated levels of CAT, SOD, and MDA. The extract also exhibited notable antibacterial activity against Bacillus megaterium and B. cereus , with MICs between 100 and 500 µg/mL, and SEM imaging confirmed membrane deformation in treated bacteria. Phytochemical and FT-IR analyses verified the presence of hydroxyl, alkene, ester, and carboxylic acid groups. GC-MS profiling identified major components, particularly tetracosanoic acid methyl ester (36.17%) and 3,3-dimethylcyclohexene. Overall, the findings demonstrate that EAECI contains potent bioactive compounds with significant insecticidal and antimicrobial potential, supporting its use as an eco-friendly, plant-based agent for integrated vector and microbial disease control.