1. INTRODUCTION:

Mosquito-borne diseases provide a huge global health concern, impacting about 700 million people each year and killing approximately one million people worldwide. The frequency of vector-borne disorders such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis is especially high in tropical and subtropical areas where mosquitos thrive. Despite intensive control methods, these diseases continue to impose significant economic and social costs, particularly in developing nations. Conventional mosquito control approaches have primarily depended on synthetic repellents, with the most often used active ingredient being N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). However, accumulating research points to substantial downsides associated with synthetic repellents, such as possible neurotoxicity, skin irritation, and environmental persistence. Furthermore, the growth of insecticide-resistant mosquito populations has required the investigation of alternate control strategies.¹

Mosquitoes have a variety of senses that allow them to monitor the presence of their prey, such as:

A. Chemical Sensors: Research has shown that mosquitoes can detect lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and propan-3-ol at distances of many yards. Both people and animals release these substances when they breathe or perspire. This explains why a person who perspires more is more likely to get bitten by the species than a person who perspires less.

B. Heat Sensors: Once they get close enough, mosquitoes can quickly target warm-blooded animals because they can sense heat.

C. Visual Sensors: It has been noted that mosquitoes are intelligent insects because they can quickly identify you by observing how your clothes contrasts with the surroundings. They can quickly identify you since anything that moves is alive and therefore contains blood.²

Many people are increasingly interested in utilizing natural, plant-based repellents as a result of these issues. Oils found in several plants naturally repel insects. These oils, which are referred to as essential oils, can be utilized to create creams that are:

· Less harmful to the skin.

· More environmentally friendly

Made with readily accessible ingredients for this project, we used natural oils from: to create a herbal insect repellent lotion.

· Citronella (its powerful scent keeps insects away)

· Lemongrass (which has a natural repellent called citronellal)

· Neem (used in traditionalmedicine to repel or kill insects)

· Eucalyptus, which repels insects and has a refreshing scent.

· Tulsi, which repels insects with its potent scent and active ingredients.³

1.1 Mosquito-Borne Diseases:

Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes In terms of public health, mosquitoes are thought to be the most dangerous vector for the spread of deadly illnesses and parasites. Mosquitoes can directly or indirectly harm humans and animals. They feed on the blood of humans, animals, and other vertebrates, which can be bothersome and disruptive to people when they are outside. Mosquito bites frequently result in mild allergic reactions like red bump and itching. Malaria, dengue, west Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika are among the main diseases spread by mosquitoes.

1.2 Mosquito Repellent:

Applying a product to skin, clothing, or other surfaces that deters mosquitoes from landing on them is known as mosquito repellent. In order to lessen human-mosquito contact, this material is manufactured in a way that makes the surface disagreeable and unappealing to mosquitoes. Numerous natural and synthetic insect repellents are available, such as DEET (N, N-diethyl meta-toluamide). Given the emergence of resistance, cross-resistance, potential toxicity risk, and growing expense of synthetic insecticides, interest in plant-based repellents has resurfaced. A useful tool for protecting oneself from bothersome mosquito bites that increase the risk of contracting diseases spread by mosquitoes is mosquito repellent.⁴

1.3 What are mosquito repellent cream:

The purpose of mosquito repellent lotions is to protect skin against mosquito bites. They function by disguising human Odors or erecting obstacles that keep mosquitoes away. These creams have components that confuse or deter mosquitoes, such as DEET, picaridin, or natural oils like citronella and lemon eucalyptus. Depending on the formula and kind of mosquito, they offer protection for 4–12 hours when applied directly to exposed skin.⁵

2.Plant Profile:

2.1 Neem:

Figure 1: Neem leaves

Biological Source:

Neem consists of the fresh or dried leaves and other aerial parts of azadirachta indica belonging to the family Meliaceae.

Chemical Constituents:

The chief constituents of Neem are azadirachtin, nimbi, nimbidin, nimbidol.

2.2 LEMONGRASS:

Biological Source:

It is obtained from the fresh aerial parts of Cymbopogon citral belonging to the family Poaceae.

Figure 2: Lemongrass leaves

Chemical Constituents:

Lemongrass oil is the principle source of Citral. The oil also contain linolol, citronellal, citronellol, methyl heptanone.

2.3 TULSI:

Biological Source:

Tulsi consists of fresh and dried leaves of Ocimum sanctum belonging to the family Labiatae.

Figure 3: Tulsi leaves

Chemical Constituents:

It contains Eugenol, Carvacrol and eugenol-methyl-ether.⁶

3. Chemicals and reagents:

The excipients used to make the cream base included stabilizers, emulsifiers, and oils. These were chosen based on their ability to generate a stable emulsion and improve the texture and spread ability of the end product. In the oil phase, stearic acid, a fatty acid, acts as an emulsifying agent. It thickens and provides consistency to the cream, so stabilizing the emulsion.

3.1 Cetyl Alcohol:

A fatty alcohol that improves the formulation's emulsifying capacity and gives the cream a smooth, non-greasy texture.

3.2 Stearic Acid:

A fatty acid that functions as an emulsifying agent in the oil phase. It helps to thicken and provideconsistency to the cream, stabilizing the emulsion.

3.2 Beeswax:

Is a natural wax that aids in the formation of a water-resistant barrier, allowing the cream to stay on the skin for a longer amount of time, providing more mosquito protection.

3.3 Liquid Paraffin:

Mineral oil is used as a moisturizer to provide lubrication and smooth application of cream.

3.4 Glycerin:

Is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin and keeps the formulation from drying out. It also enhances the cream's creaminess.

3.5 Natural preservative:

Such as Vitamin E (tocopherol), were added to the formulation to prevent oil oxidation and extend product shelf life. All cosmetic and medicinal ingredients were sourced from recognized providers to ensure their quality.²

4. Extraction of Herbal Ingredients:

4.1 Extraction of Neem:

20g of dried, crushed neem leaves were mixed with 70% cc of ethanol to create extracts. The mixture was shaken for three hours every day for three days using a shaking machine to guarantee homogeneity. A ethanol-extract mixture was obtained as the filtrate after the mixture was filtered using gravity filtration. In order to recover the majority of the solvent in each extract mixture, the ethanol-extract mixture was concentrated using a rotary evaporator setup that was controlled at a temperature of 50°C under decreased pressure of roughly 4.5b ar. After concentration, the neem leaf extract was put in an evaporating dish and stored in a desiccator until it was needed.⁷

Figure 4: Neem Extraction

4.2 Tulsi extraction:

Tulsi powder sample (20gm) was extracted with 70% ethanol and water (80:20) via maceration for 72hours. After maceration, the material was filtered via a filter paper. To remove ethanol, the solvent is evaporated using a reduced pressure heating method at temperatures below 500°C.⁸

Figure 5: Tulsi Extraction

4.3 Lemongrass extraction:

Lemongrass leaves are powdered (e.g., 20g sample) and soaked in solvents like ethanol (C₂H₆O) or acetone (C₃H₆O) at concentrations ranging from 50-70%. The mixture is placed in a shaking water bath at approximately 40°C for 24hours, then centrifuged at 5000rpm for 10minutes. The extract is filtered and condensed to produce the oil.⁹

Figure 6: Lemongrass Extraction

5. Preparation of Cream Base

5.1 preparation of oil phase:

liquid paraffin, stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, bees wax were carefully weighed and placed in a beaker. The oils were slowly dissolved in a water bath at 70°C with continual stirring, allowing them to combine.¹⁰

5.2 preparation of aqueous phase:

In another beaker, warm distilled water and Glycerin.

Stir well to mix in water bath at 70°C.¹¹

5.3 Emulsification Process:

Emulsification With constant stirring, the heated aqueous phase is gradually introduced to the oil phase. For a smooth, consistent emulsion, mechanical stirrers or homogenizers are recommended. The mixture is stirred continuously until it is homogenous and creamy. The herbal extracts and essential oils (lemongrass, neem, and Tulsi) were combined with the cream base once the mixture had cooled to 40°C. Depending on the batch of formulation, the active ingredients were added at several concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%) to assess their efficacy in repelling mosquitoes. After cooling, the final cream was sealed in glass jars that had been sterilized. The smooth, non-greasy texture of this cream base was ideal for topical application and gave the active compounds stability.¹²

Figure 7: Mosquito Repellent Cream

Tabel 1: Formulation of Herbal Mosquito Repellent Cream

S. No.	Ingredients	Purpose	Quantity(%w/w)
1	Stearic acid	Emulsifying agent	5gm
2	Cetyl alcohol	Emollient and Thicker	2gm
3	Beeswax	Thickening and stabilizing agent	1gm
4	Liquid paraffin	Emollient	5ml
5	Sodium hydroxide	pH adjustment and emulsifier	0.2gm
6	Glycerin	Moisturizer	5ml
7	Citronella oil	Mosquito repellent	2.0ml
8	Neem oil	Insectrepellent and antimicrobial	2.0ml
9	Tulsi oil	Antimicrobial activity	2.0ml
10	Eucalyptus oil	Insect repellent and fragrance	1.0ml
11	Lemongrass oil	Mosquito repellent and fragrance	1.5ml
12	Vitamin E	Natural preservative and antioxidant	0.5ml
13	Distilled water	Aqueous phase	Q.s to 100²

6. Evaluation of Cream:

6.1 Physical Parameters:

Organoleptic properties:

Visual inspection was used to assess the prepared cream formulation for a number of characteristics, including colour, texture, odour, and any potential phase separation. You can get a sense of the cream's texture and homogeneity by applying a tiny amount on your finger and thumb.

Colour:

Colour assessment A black and white background has been used to test colour evaluation visually, and any changes in colour have been noted.

Odour:

Assessment of odour for more precise observation, the three participants were used to test the ointment's odour.

Texture:

Assessment of texture It was discovered that the made cream was smooth and showed no signs of greed.¹³

6.2 PH Determination:

To determine pH, a certain quantity of cream (100mg) was weighed, diluted in distilled water, and thoroughly mixed. A digital pH meter (Mettler Toledo) was used to measure the cream's pH. Every experimental formulation underwent a pH assessment. Triplicate 20 measurements were made.¹⁴

6.3 Spread ability:

The spreadability was measured in the number of seconds it took for two slides to separate from the cream that was sandwiched between them under a specific load. The better the spread ability, the less time it takes to separate the two slides. Two sets of standard-sized glass slides were collected. One of the slides was covered with the herbal cream formulation. The cream was sandwiched between the two slides when the other slide was positioned on top of the formulation. Weight was applied to the upper slides to ensure that the cream between the two slides was uniformly compressed to form a thin layer. The extra mixture sticking to the slides was scraped off once the weight was removed. The power of the weight attached to the upper slide made it possible for it to glide off freely. The upper slide's duration was recorded.

6.4 Skin Irritation:

The irritancy test involves marking a 1 square centimeter area on the dorsal side of the left hand. After applying the cream to the designated area, the time was recorded. Erythema, edema, and irritation were assessed at regular intervals for up to 24hours and reported.¹⁵

6.5 Stability Testing:

Stability investigation of the optimized formulation (B5) was performed in compliance with International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) recommendations. For ninety days, the improved cream formulation (B5) was kept in tightly sealed glass containers at 25°C and 60% relative humidity in a humidity chamber. Samples were taken at predefined intervals of 0, 30, 60, and 90 days, and their physicochemical evaluation criteria, including color, consistency, phase separation, texture analysis, and pH, were assessed.¹⁶

6.6 Viscosity:

Viscosity is a crucial factor in determining the cream's thickness or fluidity. It also has an impact on how the cream feels on the skin and how long it stays there without spilling. A Brookfield viscometer was used to measure viscosity at 25°C. The cream should be neither too runny nor too challenging to apply in order to have a good consistency. The cream's viscosity was determined to be 21,500cps, indicating that it has a medium consistency. This means that it is thick enough for topical application without becoming too thick to spread.

6.7 Mosquito Repellence Test:

A volunteer's forearm was treated with it. Twenty adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were kept in a cage with the treated arm. Every hour, the number of mosquito bites was recorded.¹⁷

Tabel 2: Evaluation test results of Herbal Cream

Parameter	Method used	Observation/ result	Inference
Physical appearance	Visual inspection	Semi-solid emulsion with smoot appearance	Acceptable
pH	Digital pH meter	5	Skin Friendly range
Spread ability	Glass slide method	Cream appears easily spreadable on surface	Easily spreadable
Viscosity	Brookfield viscometer	6,000 cP to 8,000 cP	Suitable consistency
Skin irritation test	Patch test on volunteers	No irritation observed	Sate for topical use
Stability	Stored at 4^oc, RT, 45^oc	No phase separation, stable pH	Physically stable
Repellency duration	Arm-in-cage method	3.5 hours average	Effective short-term protection

7. CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, the present review highlights the growing need for safer and more sustainable alternatives to conventional synthetic mosquito repellents. The use of plant-based ingredients such as neem, lemongrass, tulsi, citronella, and eucalyptus demonstrates significant potential in developing effective herbal mosquito repellent formulations. These natural components not only exhibit strong repellent properties but also offer additional benefits such as antimicrobial activity, skin friendliness, and environmental safety.

The formulated herbal cream showed desirable physicochemical characteristics, including appropriate pH, good spreadability, stability, and non-irritant nature, making it suitable for topical application. Furthermore, the incorporation of natural excipients contributed to improved texture, consistency, and shelf life of the product. The evaluation studies confirm that herbal repellents can provide satisfactory protection against mosquito bites while minimizing the risks associated with synthetic chemicals.

Overall, herbal mosquito repellent creams represent a promising, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases. Future research should focus on enhancing the duration of protection, standardizing formulations, and conducting large-scale clinical studies to further validate their efficacy and commercial applicabilit

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Received on 16.04.2026 Revised on 04.05.2026

Accepted on 20.05.2026 Published on 08.07.2026

Available online from July 13, 2026

Res. J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochem. 2026; 18(3):253-258.

DOI: 10.52711/0975-4385.2026.00037

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License.