Botanical Bioinsecticides for Sustainable Pest Management: A Review on Cissus quadrangularis, Aloe vera and Acorus calamus

Abstract

The increasing reliance on synthetic pesticides in modern agriculture has led to significant environmental and health concerns, necessitating the exploration of sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. This review focuses on three medicinally important plant species viz., Cissus quadrangularis, Aloe vera, and Acorus calamus and evaluates their potential as botanical bioinsecticides. These plants are rich in diverse phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, and essential oils, which exhibit a wide range of insecticidal properties such as larvicidal, antifeedant, repellent, and growth-inhibitory effects. Cissus quadrangularis demonstrates notable larvicidal and wound-healing activities, supported by its rich composition of vitamin C, carotenoids, and secondary metabolites. Aloe vera, widely known for its medicinal value, contains bioactive compounds such as aloins, anthraquinones, and saponins that contribute to its insecticidal and repellent properties. Acorus calamus, characterized by its essential oil rich in α- and β-asarone, exhibits strong toxicity against a variety of insect pests, including mosquitoes and stored-product insects. The review also highlights the advantages of botanical pesticides, including their biodegradability, reduced environmental persistence, and lower risk of resistance development due to their complex chemical composition. However, limitations such as variability in efficacy, potential toxicity to non-target organisms, economic constraints, and regulatory challenges are also discussed. Furthermore, recent advancements in formulation technologies, including nanotechnology and microencapsulation, are emphasized as promising approaches to enhance the stability, efficacy, and targeted delivery of botanical insecticides. Overall, these plant-based bioinsecticides offer a viable and sustainable alternative to synthetic chemicals, contributing to environmentally safe pest management strategies. Further research focusing on field-level validation, formulation optimization, and commercialization is essential to fully realize their potential in integrated pest management systems.