Planta Med 2014; 80 - P2B4
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394881

In vitro activity of 13 essential oils on the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and on the sheep nematode Haemonchus contortus in Brazil

L Ferreira Domingues 1, RR Fantatto 2, JH Batista 3, M Dias Rabelo 1, FA Sanches Politi 4, R Giglioti 1, MC de Sena Oliveira 1, FCM Chaves 5, AC de Souza Chagas 1
  • 1Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste (Southeast Livestock Research Unit), Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, C.P. 339, CEP 13560 – 970, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
  • 2Paulista Center University (UNICEP), São Carlos, SP, Rua Miguel Petroni, 5111, CEP: 13563 – 470, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
  • 3Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 235, CEP: 13565 – 905, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
  • 4Department of Organic Chemistry, Nucleus of Bioassay, Biosynthesis and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE), Institute of Chemistry, State University of São Paulo (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil
  • 5Brazilian Agricultural Research (Embrapa), Western Amazon Research Unit, Rodovia AM-010, Km 29, CEP: 69010 – 970, C.P. 319, Manaus, AM, Brazil

Herbal extracts have been investigated as an alternative for parasite control, aiming to slow development of resistance and obtain low-cost biodegradable parasiticides. The goal of this study was to evaluate the activity of 13 essential oils from Brazil on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Haemonchus contortus: Croton cajucara, C. sacaquinha, Curcuma longa, Lippia alba, L. gracilis, L. origanoides, L. sidoides, Mentha arvensis, M. piperita, Piper aduncum, Spilanthes acmella and Zingiber officinale. The effects on ticks were investigated by the Immersion Test with Engorged Females [1] (ITEF) and by modified Larval Packet Test [2] (LPT). On H. contortus (Embrapa 2010 isolate) the Egg Hatch Test [3] (EHT) and the Larval Development Test [4] (LDT) were carried out. The control groups were distilled water, Tween 80 (2%) and DMSO (1%). The results were analyzed by Probit, SAS. In the ITEF it was obtained the LC50 of C. longa (10.24 mg/mL), L. alba (10.78 mg/mL), S. acmella (15.41 mg/mL), M. arvensis (22.31 mg/mL), L. sidoides (27.67 mg/mL) and C. sacaquinha (29.88 mg/mL). In the LPT, the most effective oils were C. longa, L. gracilis, L. origanoides, L. alba and Z. officinale with LC50 an LC90, respectively: 0.54 and 1.80 mg/mL, 3.21 and 7.03 mg/mL, 3.10 and 8.44 mg/mL, 5.85 and 11.14 mg/mL, 7.75 and 13.62 mg/mL. In the EHT were obtained good results against M. arvensis (0.10 and 0.27 mg/mL), Z. oficinalle (0.11 and 0.40 mg/mL), L. sidoides (0.15 and 0.34 mg/mL), L. alba (0.24 and 0.59 mg/mL), L. origanoides (0.25 and 0.70 mg/mL), C. longa (0.36 and 2.49 mg/mL) and L. gracilis (0.42 and 1.27 mg/mL). In the LDT, just Z. officinale and C. longa oils were tested (LC50 and LC90: 0.01 and 0.07 mg/mL, 0.10 and 0.17 mg/mL, respectively). The results showed significant efficacy. Further research will be focused to the isolation and elucidation of the bioactive compounds.

Acknowledgements: São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP); Brazilian Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA).

Keywords: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Haemonchus contortus, essential oils

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