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Anti-lice activity of Abrus Precatorius LINN (FAM -Fabacae) seeds oil Sukirti Upadhyay1, A K Ghosh1, Vijender Singh2 1 College of Pharmacy, IFTM, Moradabad-244 001(U P), India 2 Sir Madanlal Institute of Pharmacy, Etawah -206001 (UP), India Egyptian Dermatology Online Journal 7 (2): 4 Corresponding author: Sukirti Upadhyay E-mail: sukirtiupadhyay@gmail.com Submitted: November 1, 2011 Accepted: November 30, 2011
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Abstract
Background: Infection by
head lice is an annoying dermatological disease . Pediculocidal
drug resistance developed by head louse laid the foundation for research
in exploring novel anti-lice agents from medicinal plants Introduction
Pediculus humanus capitis, known as the human head louse, infestation is a major concern in public health-associated problems. Head lice are ectoparasites and its infestation due to unhygienic conditions has negatively affected the society back to the earliest Homo sapiens. The condition is distributed around the world invading various ethnic groups with no restrictions of sex and socioeconomic status [1]. This lack of efficacy is due to the emergence of resistance by the head louse to synthetic compounds and researchers were aimed on the search of new substitutes to synthetic ingredients, such as phytoconstituents obtained from plant sources [2,3]. Abrus precatorius (Fabaceae) is a woody climber distributed widely throughout India. The plant is traditionally used for the treatment of sore tongue and it also has diaphoretic action. Seeds of Abrus precatorius are commonly used as purgative, emetic, aphrodisiac and in nervous disorder in traditional and folk medicines. A. precatorius seeds are known for their toxicity but petroleum ether extract do not contain toxic principle [4]. Materials and
methods
a. Procurement and identification of plant material The plant material A. precatorius were procured in the month of
June from Corbett National Park, Ramnagar (Uttarakhand, India) and identified by Dr. D.V. Amla, Scientist G at National Botanical Research
Institute, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, India) under
voucher specimen no NBRISOP-202 and a specimen was preserved there for
further references. Drying of the powdered material: The plant materials were dried under the shade. Then it was
powdered and dried in oven at 30-40 oC. b. Preparation of extract Coarsely powdered drug was taken in a Soxhlet
apparatus and extracted with petroleum ether (60-80oC) till complete extraction. The solvent from
the extract was recovered under reduced pressure and its yield was 1.6 %w/w. c. Chromatographic characterization For experiment, petroleum ether seed extract of A. precatorius
was characterized by
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) on precoated silica gel G plate(10×10) (E.Merk,Germany)
developed in toluene: ethyl acetate (95:5 v/v) as mobile phase gave best
resolution after derivatization with Lieberman burchard
reagent. Steroidal component was present in this as proved by phytochemical analysis. d. Isolation The oil fraction was separated from extract obtained as
unsopanificable fraction on addition of sodium hydroxide by separating
funnel. e. Collection of head lice Adults, nymphs, and nits of P. humanus capitis were collected
from children between the age group
of 10-13 by combing through sections of the scalp using a clean narrow
toothed comb. After combing, the lice were carefully removed from the teeth
of the comb into plastic boxes. All the subjects had not been exposed to any
anti-lice products for the preceding 3 months. f. Anti-lice activity Extract was tested for pediculocidal activity by filter paper diffusion method [5]. Extract and benzyl benzoate were dissolved separately in distilled water to obtain 3 different concentrations (5%, 10%, and 20%). After careful selection under a dissecting microscope, the adults and nymphs were identified and separated. All the test organisms in a ratio of 3/2 (adult/nymph) were divided into 7 groups (5 lice each) and were placed on a filter paper at the bottom of petri dish and kept open. A volume (0.5 ml) of each test samples was poured on the test organisms and allowed to spread as a thin layer of 4 cm2. Group 1 was treated with 0.5 ml distilled water and served as control. Group 2 to group 7 received 0.5 ml of various concentrations of extract and benzyl benzoate. All the Petri dishes were set aside for 1 hr in a dark chamber at 26 ± 0.5oC and 70 ± 1% humidity [6]. At the end of 1 hr, the dishes were taken out and 0.5 ml of
distilled water was applied and further placed in the chamber under the
condition mentioned above. After 18 hr, the dishes were observed under a
dissecting microscope for any possible movement of lice and absence of any
movement were considered dead [7]. All the treatments were performed in triplicate (Table 1). g. Ovicidal effects The ovicidal activity was tested by placing 5 brownish oval eggs
with an unbroken operculum on the filter paper (Whatmann No. 1; 6 cm
diameter) placed in the bottom of each petri dish.
Then, 0.5 ml of each test solution and control
were applied on the nits. All the dishes were then incubated in a dark chamber at 26 ± 0.5°C for 14 days. To maintain the moisture, 0.1 ml of distilled water was added at 48 hr interval. Hatching of eggs were monitored under a microscope and the percentage of emergence, i.e., partially hatched nits, were observed, and the findings were recorded [6]. Each treatment was replicated 3 times (Table 2). Results
Table 1 :Effects of A. precatorius seed extracts against Pediculus humanus capitis adults and nymphs. Data shows that in 15 % concentration seed oil is able to kill 100% lice
Table 2 :Effects of A .precatorius seed extracts against Pediculus humanus capitis nits Discussion The use of A .precatorius extract for controlling lice infestations has been authenticated from the excellent results obtained after screening for potential anti-lice and ovicidal activity. Oils from natural sources, such as eucalyptus, marjoram, spearmint, peppermint, sage, rosewood, clove bud, and cinnamon bark have exhibited significant pediculocidal activity in filter paper bioassays [8,9,10,11]. Another study carried out on school children revealed that 20% petroleum ether extract of custard apple seeds killed 95.3% of head lice [12]. The findings of this study showed excellent anti-lice and ovicidal activities of petroleum ether extract of A.precatorius which may be due to the presence of sterol derivatives responsible for the enhanced penetration and bioavailability of oil components into the body of louse. Penetration of extracts into the alimentary tract of lice could be ignored since all the extracts was applied on lice placed on the filter paper which also subsequently avoided immense dissemination of active constituents into the cuticle when the compound is directly applied to the insect skin [13]. Additionally, the lice was not exposed in an enclosed environment with the petri dish kept open which limits the possibility of volatile agents getting absorbed through the spiracles. For synthetic pediculocidal agents, the residue which remains in the head even after rinsing with water gives an enhanced control against lice but also noted for the development of resistance for lice [14,3]. Natural extracts from medicinal plants has been noticed for its safe and effective use, and appearance of resistance patterns were minimal due to its different mode of action [15,16] which greatly supports the safe use of A. precatorius extracts as a potent anti-lice agent. Eradication of lice would be complete if the products used for pediculocidal activity also delays nymph emergence and potentially kill the nymph. Extracts of A.precatorius succeeded in delaying the emergence of nymphs, and its oily nature may help to detach nits from the hair before hatching. 15% concentration of petroleum ether extract of A. precatorius exhibited the maximum pediculocidal effects and completely inhibited nymph emergence at 2 different concentrations (10% and 15%). Hence, the results obtained from this research present a promising scenario for using A. precatorius seeds extract as an effective alternative for treating human head lice. References
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