In vitro and in vivo efficacy of Acorus calamus extract against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

Parasitol Res. 2011 Feb;108(2):361-70. doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-2070-0. Epub 2010 Oct 1.

Abstract

To develop a environment friendly control measure against cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, medicinally important plants were identified and extracts were prepared. Twelve 95% ethanolic, thirteen 50% hydroethanolic and nine hot water extracts were prepared and tested against laboratory reared homogenous colony of R. (B.) microplus. Amongst the 34 extracts, 26 extracts showed no mortality within 72 h of application while 12.0 ± 4.9% to 35.0 ± 9.6% mortality of treated ticks was recorded in other extracts. Of the effective extracts, the extract prepared from rhizome of Acorus calamus proved highly efficacious and 100% final mortality within 14 DPT was recorded. The LC85 value of the extract was determined as 11.26. In vivo experiments confirmed the efficacy of the extract up to 42%, and repeat application was required after 7 DPT. The extract was found safe and no reaction was observed when animals were treated with 50% of the concentration, which was five times of the concentration used for in vivo studies. The possibility of using the extract for the control of cattle tick is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acaricides / pharmacology*
  • Acaricides / toxicity
  • Acorus / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Female
  • Larva / drug effects
  • Longevity / drug effects
  • Male
  • Oviposition / drug effects
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity
  • Rabbits
  • Rhipicephalus / drug effects*
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / pathology
  • Tick Infestations / drug therapy
  • Tick Infestations / parasitology
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary*
  • Toxicity Tests

Substances

  • Acaricides
  • Plant Extracts