J. Mountain Res. ISSN: 0974-3030 Vol. 12, (2017) 39-46 Lousicidal and repellency properties of two plant extracts against human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis Charles De Geer. (P hthiraptera: Anoplura) 1 2 Surman Arya * • Suneel Kumar Singh 1Department of Zoology, Dr. PDBH, Govt. P.G. Co llege, Kotdawar (Garhwal)- 246149, Uttarakhand, India 2Department of Biotechnology & Microbiology, Modern Institute of Techno logy, Dhalwala, Rishikesh - 249201, Uttarakhand, India. *Corresponding Author Email: [email protected] Received: 14.07.2017; Revised: 21.08.2017; Accepted: 15.10.2017 ©Society for Himalayan Action Research and Development Abstract: Leaf extracts of Himalayan shrubs Timru ( Zanthoxylum alatum ) and Raimunia or L antana (Lantana camara) and flower extracts of L. camara have been tested for their lousicidal and repellency properties against human head louse, Pediculus humanus captis (Pht hiraptera: Anoplura). The crude extract of these plants were noted very effective in other insects. The mortality rate and repellency were noted 80% and 86.36% in case of Z. alatum while 66.67% and 76.19%, respectively in L. camara . Flower extract of L. camara caused 56.67% mortality and 66.18 % repellency. Preliminary results of these plants extracts clearly exhibited lousicidal effects . Keywords: Human head louse • Lousicidal • plant extracts • repellency Introduction Head louse infestation is a global problem and affected with immune suppressi on, environmental varies greatly from place to place. Children are the pollution and development of resistant of strain. most affected group (Gratz, 1997). Considerable Several authors have already mentioned that work has already been done on prevalence rate o f intensive and continuous application of head louse in different parts of the world. Many biodegradable pesticides may be an asset from other workers get success to eradicate head louse environmental as well as economic point of view. through different synthetic pesticides (Maunder, Biodegrad able pesticides are not only safer but eco - 1971; Pollack et al., 1999; Yoon et al., 2003 ; Kerryn friendly also. Several plant extracts have also been and Tanya, 2012; Dadas et al., 2016). These efficiently tested against pest of dogs, buffaloes, pesticid es increases pest resistance, harms non - cattle and birds (Tripathey et al., 1995, Banerjee, target beneficial organism, contaminate feed, create 1997; Kumar et al., 2002a, b and 2011; Lakshmanan environment hazard apart from economic et al., 2016). Furthermore pesticidal properties of consideration. Moreover, by using these synthetic several other plants have been tested against pesticides many other birds and mammals are different pests (Murray et al., 1995; Maske et al., ©SHARAD 39 1999; Khater et al., 2014). Lousicidal and repellency grinder. Extracts of these plants material were properties of some selected plant (viz. Azadirachta prepared by using acetone and kept in 12 hrs, at indica, Adhatoda vassica, Argimone mexicana, room temperature (28+2ºC). Later on, extracts were Acorus calamus, Cassio fistula ) have already been filtered through Whatman filter paper (No.1) and tested by Kumar et al. (2002a, b and 2003); Khan et solution left on Petridish, kept for one to two days al. (2008); Kosalge and Fursule (2009); Nalamwar for evaporation. The residue of the extracts stored in et al. (2009) against tropical hen louse. Some other deep freezer. The extracts were then tested for workers like Heukelbach et al. (2006a and b); mortality and repellency on lice at various Semmler et al. (2010); Shrivastava et al. (2010); concentrations (Kumar et al., 2002a, b and 2003; Toloza et al. (2010a and b); Bagavan et al. (2011) Khan et al., 2008). For conducting the mortality test, and Combescot et al. (2015) tested A. indica, saturating concentration of stock solution was Eucalyptus, Citurs, Syzygium and Vitex agnus placed on filter paper (Whatman filter paper No. 1, castus , respectively, against human head louse to diameter 9.0cm) and allows dry in shade, at room note mortality and repellency. Isman (2000); Abdel- temperature (28+2ºC) in Petridishes. Healthy adult Ghaffar and Semmler (2007); Shaaya and Rafaeli lice ( P. humanus capitis ) of both sexes in nearly (2007); Rossini et al. (2008); Purval et al. (2010); equal proportion sorted out from infested children Toloza et al. (2010); Rassimi and Soonwera (2011); and adult in randomly selected locality of Kotdwar Watcharawit and Soonwera (2013); Soonwera and its adjoining areas. Live head lice were (2014) also reported some plants essential oils and collected by using a fine-toothed anti louse comb plants extract against human head louse as eco- (Picollo et al., 1998 and 2000; Vassena et al., 2003) friendly, biodegradable, possess low or no toxicity and kept in an environmental chamber and with the against mammal and very effective against insect help of camel hair brush were transferred on the pests. Eucalyptus has also been tested against treated filter paper in Petridishes. Male and female insects (Papachristos and Stamopoulos, 2002; Lucia head lice can be easily distinguishable due to their et al., 2007 and Batish et al., 2008) and head lice size, but attempt have not been made to record sex (Yang et al., 2004; Toloza et al., 2006, 2010a and b; wise mortality. Mortality test were performed in Choi et al., 2010). Plant extract of monk pepper three sets along with control unit (using exhibits repellency activity against head lice, ticks acetone).Ten-ten active fresh healthy adult lice of and insects (Semmler et al., 2010) but Mehlhorn et both the sexes were released on each of the three al. (2005) suggests monk pepper extract as replicate the lice were then reared in vitro repellency activity against lice only for short period. environmental chamber at 29±2ºC and 60-80% R.H. In vitro bionomics of human head louse has already The aim of the present study was to investigate been done (Takano-Lee et al., 2003). Mortality was and evaluate the lousicidal and repellency properties recorded after every 2 hrs interval and the of different parts (e.g., leaf, flower, etc.) of percentage mortality was calculated for each of sets Zanthoxylum alatum and Lantana camara against up to 24 hrs then average percentage mortality was human head louse. Least work has been done on noted by using the formula. lousicidal and repellency properties of some plant extracts in Uttarakhand region, so keeping in view Mortality = ND/NT X100…………Equation No. 01 the lacunae in the fields, the present study was Where, ND= Number of dead lice, NT= Number of carried out. total lice Materials and Methods For checking the repellency of said plants Leaves ( Z. altum and L. camara ) and flower ( L. extracts against human head louse, one half portion camara ) collected from Kotdwar (Garhwal) and its of Whatman filter paper was immersed in test adjoining area, were thoroughly washed, dried solvent and then allowed to dry. The other half was (under shade) and powdered in a domestic hand dipped in pure solvent (acetone) and dried. Such a ©SHARAD 40 filter paper was placed in Petridish, which were (Table 1). Similarly flower extract of the L. camara covered with glass funnel of same diameter was exhibited mortality 0%, 3.33%, 10%, 16.67%, 20%, inverted over the Petridish and its joints were sealed 26.67% and 56.67%, respectively. In control unit, (to avoid the escape of lice). Repellency tests were there was no any mortality up to 6 hrs, but it was also performed in triplicate sets. In each Petridish noted 3.33% in 8 hrs, 6.67% in 10 hrs and 12 hrs ten healthy adult (both sexes) lice were released on duration, while in 24 hrs it reached 10% mortality. the test area. Then Petridish were placed inside the Overall mortality of leaf extract of Z. alatum and L. environmental chamber maintain at 29±2ºC and 60- camara exhibited 80% and 66.67%, while flower 80% R.H. The numbers of lice on treated and extracts of L. camara showed 56.67% overall untreated side were recorded after every one hr mortality (Table 1). There was only 30% overall interval. The repellency was calculated for each mortality recorded in control unit. Present results Petridish up to 12 hrs and average percentage clearly indicated that these plants extracts possesses repellency was noted by using the formula effective mortality against human head louse, P. suggested by Kumar et al. (2002a and b). humanus capitis . Repellency% = UT × 100/UT + T...Equation No. 02 Attempts were made to note the repellency efficacy leaf extract of Z. alatum against said lice. Where UT= Number of lice trapped in untreated Repellency after 1 hrs, 2 hrs, 3 hrs and 4 hrs have side, T= Number of lice trapped in treated side been noted as 80%, but in 5 hrs duration it increases An attempt was also made to examined the lice up to 100%, while notable fall was noted in 6 hrs on the filter paper under a dissecting microscope by duration (up to 88.89%)(Table 2). After 12 hrs a single observer in all cases to prevent inter duration it again reaches up to 100% repellency. observer variation. The criteria used for survival of Overall repellency of leaf extract of Z. alatum noted lice were extremely strict, if any even minor signs of as 86.36%. Similarly repellency efficacy of leaf life, such as internal movements or movement of extract of L. camara were remained 50%, 60%, antennae or minimal leg movements were observed 80%, 77.78%, 88.89% and 87.5% at the duration of (with or without stimulation by a forceps), the lice 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs, 4 hrs, 5 hrs and 6 hrs respectively, were categorized as alive. The lice were judged as while it was found 100% repellency at the 12 hrs dead if there were no vital signs at all (complete duration.