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In vitro pediculicidal activity of herbal shampoo base on Thai local plants against head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer)

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Abstract

Head lice infestation, a worldwide head infestation caused Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, is an important public health problem in Thailand. Several chemical pediculicides have lost in efficacy due to increasing resistance of lice against insecticide. Therefore, non-toxic alternative products, such as natural products from plants, e.g. plant extract pediculicides, are needed for head lice control. The aims of this study were to evaluate the potential of pediculicidal activity of herbal shampoo base on three species of Thai local plants (Accacia concinna (Willd.) DC, Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. and Tamarindus indica Linn.) against head lice and to compare them with carbaryl shampoo (Hafif shampoo®; 0.6 % w/v carbaryl) and non-treatment control in order to assess their in vitro. Doses of 0.12 and 0.25 ml/cm2 of each herbal shampoo were applied to filter paper, and ten head lice were place on the filter paper. The mortalities of head lice on the filter paper were recorded at 1, 5, 10, 30 and 60 min by sterio-microscope. All herbal shampoos at 0.25 ml/cm2 were more effective pediculicide than carbaryl shampoo with 100 % mortality at 5 min. The median lethal time (LT50) of all herbal shampoos at 0.25 ml/cm2 showed no significant differences over at 0.12 ml/cm2 (P < 0.01). The most effective pediculicide was T. indica extract shampoo, followed by Av. bilimbi extract shampoo and Ac. concinna extract shampoo, with LT50 values <1.0 min. Our data showed that all herbal shampoos have high potential of pediculicide to head lice treatments for schoolchildren.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank all the authorities of the primary schools in Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand, where head lice materials were collected. All herbal shampoos used in this study were provided free of charge by the medicinal plant laboratory, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, KMITL. This study received financial support from Faculty of Agricultural Technology, KMITL, Thailand.

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  1. Entomology and Environment Programme, Plant Production Technology Section, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand

    Watcharawit Rassami & Mayura Soonwera

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  1. Watcharawit Rassami
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  2. Mayura Soonwera
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Correspondence to Watcharawit Rassami.

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Rassami, W., Soonwera, M. In vitro pediculicidal activity of herbal shampoo base on Thai local plants against head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer). Parasitol Res 112, 1411–1416 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3292-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3292-8

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