Vol. 78 2026

ARTICLES

Larvicidal Activity of Algerian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) Against Culex pipiens with Chemical Profiling and Molecular Docking Insights

Souheyla Toubal1,*, Nesrine Sadaoui1, Djillali El Haddad1, Sarah Boumaza1, Narimen Benhabyles1, Rania Moussek2 & Wafa Bourabia2

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*,1Laboratoire de Bio-Informatique, Microbiologie Appliquée et Biomolécules, Faculty of Sciences, University M’Hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Boumerdes 35000, Algeria. E-mail: so.toubal@univ-boumerdes.dz; n.sadaoui@univ-boumerdes.dz; d.elhaddad@univ-boumerdes.dz; s.boumaza@univ-boumerdes.dz; n.benhabyles@univ-boumerdes.dz
2Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University M’Hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Boumerdes 35000, Algeria; E-mail: raniamoussek12@gmail.com; bourabiawafa@gmail.com

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb78.3.003155

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Abstract

Increasing resistance to synthetic insecticides complicates control of Culex pipiens L., a key vector, making plant-derived essential oils a promising eco-friendly alternative. This study aims to investigate the chemical composition, larvicidal activity, and potential molecular mechanisms of Cupressus sempervirens essential oil from Algeria against fourth-instar Culex pipiens larvae. The extraction yield was 0.87 ± 0.21%. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry profiling identified 46 compounds, dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, including α-pinene (21.37%) and 3-carene (18.36%). Larvicidal assays demonstrated potent activity, with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 6.59 ppm (95% CI: 4.65–8.29) and 23.40 ppm (95% CI: 17.74–37.76), respectively, showing a dose dependent mortality. Molecular docking analysis suggested favourable binding affinities of α-pinene and 3-carene toward acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase, with ligand accommodation within the active sites through predominantly hydrophobic interactions. These results suggest possible interference with neurotransmission and detoxification pathways. These findings indicate that Cupressus sempervirens essential oil is a promising natural larvicidal agent and support its potential application in environmentally friendly mosquito management strategies.

Key words

acetylcholinesterase, 3-carene, Cupressus sempervirens, glutathione S-transferase, in silico, α-pinene

How to Cite
Toubal S., Sadaoui N., El Haddad D., Boumaza S., Benhabyles N., Moussek R. & Bourabia W. 2026. Larvicidal Activity of Algerian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) Against Culex pipiens with Chemical Profiling and Molecular Docking Insights. Acta zoologica bulgarica 78.

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