A new shampoo based on neem (Azadirachta indica) is highly effective against head lice in vitro
- 28 March 2006
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Zeitschrift für Parasitenkunde
- Vol. 99 (4), 353-356
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0146-7
Abstract
Because topical compounds based on insecticidal chemicals are the mainstay of head lice treatment, but resistance is increasing, alternatives, such as herbs and oils are being sold to treat head lice. To test a commercial shampoo based on seed extract of Azadirachta indica (neem tree) for its in vitro effect, head lice (n=17) were collected from school children in Australia and immersed in Wash-Away Louse™ shampoo (Alpha-Biocare GmbH, Germany). Vitality was evaluated for more than 3 h by examination under a dissecting microscope. Positive and negative controls were a commercially available head lice treatment containing permethrin 1% (n=19) and no treatment (n=14). All lice treated with the neem shampoo did not show any vital signs from the initial examination after immersion at 5–30 min; after 3 h, only a single louse showed minor signs of life, indicated by gut movements, a mortality of 94%. In the permethrin group, mortality was 20% at 5 min, 50% at 15 min, and 74% after 3 h. All 14 head lice of the negative control group survived during the observation period. Our data show that Wash-Away Louse™ is highly effective in vitro against head lice. The neem shampoo was more effective than the permethrin-based product. We speculate that complex plant-based compounds will replace the well-defined chemical pediculicides if resistance to the commonly used products further increases.Keywords
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Ovicidal and adulticidal activities of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark essential oil compounds and related compounds against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculicidae)International Journal for Parasitology, 2005
- Safety and efficacy of pediculicides for head liceExpert Opinion on Drug Safety, 2005
- Chemopreventive potential of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf extract in murine carcinogenesis model systemsJournal of Ethnopharmacology, 2004
- Ovicidal and Adulticidal Activity of Eucalyptus globulus Leaf Oil Terpenoids against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae)Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2004
- HUMAN LICE AND THEIR CONTROLAnnual Review of Entomology, 2004
- Permethrin-Resistant Human Head Lice, Pediculus capitis, and Their TreatmentArchives of Dermatology, 2003
- Drug-Resistant LiceArchives of Dermatology, 2003
- Susceptibility of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) to pediculicides in AustraliaZeitschrift für Parasitenkunde, 2003
- Development of a paw paw herbal shampoo for the removal of head licePhytomedicine, 2002
- Permethrin resistance in the head louse Pediculus capitis from IsraelMedical and Veterinary Entomology, 1995