Lumefantrine-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles: investigating their antibacterial and mosquito larvicidal properties

Silver-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles (Ag-doped CeO₂ NPs) were synthesized using lumefantrine as a capping agent and characterized using UV-Vis, TEM, SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and zeta potential analyses. The nanoparticles exhibited strong larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti, with LC₅₀ values of 10.432 µg/mL (third instar) and 12.479 µg/mL (fourth instar), and LC₉₀ values of 23.016 µg/mL and 26.455 µg/mL, respectively. In comparison, lumefantrine alone showed LC₅₀ values of 64.973 µg/mL and 83.182 µg/mL for the third and fourth instars. Egg hatchability, adult longevity, and fecundity were significantly reduced following treatment with the nanoparticles. Microscopic observations revealed severe morphological damage in treated larvae, including deformities in the abdomen, tracheal gills, cuticle, thorax, epithelial layer, and midgut. The Ag-doped CeO₂ NPs also exhibited antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus aureus. These findings confirm the multifunctionality of Ag-doped CeO₂ NPs as potent larvicidal and antibacterial agents with potential application in vector control and microbial management.