Evaluation of quality and efficacy of an ethnomedicinal plant Ageratum conyzoides L. in the management of pediculosis

Abstract

a b s t r a c tBackground: Infestation with the head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, is one of the most common parasitic infestations of human worldwide. Traditionally, the main treatment for control of head lice is chemical control that includes wide variety of neurotoxic synthetic insecticides. The main difficulty posed in controlling the head louse infestation is increasing lice resistance to synthetic pediculicidal drugs. Plant-based drugs; especially essential oil components and standardized extracts have been suggested as an alternative source of materials for insect control. Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) has been reported to possess antifungal and insecticidal properties. In the present research work, an attempt has been made to evaluate in vitro pediculicidal activity of A. conyzoides. Methods: A filter paper diffusion bioassay was carried out in order to determine the pediculicidal activity of different extracts of A. conyzoides. Results: The study elucidates the active plant part and suitable extract responsible for the therapeutic efficacy of this plant in the management of pediculosis. Conclusion: Findings of the present study indicate the potential of A. conyzoides extract to be included in the formulations as a pediculicidal agent.

Phytochemical constituents and ethnopharmacological properties of Ageratum conyzoides L.

“…It has been reported that in vitro pediculicidal activity has also been shown by eugenol, isolated from A . conyzoides (Shailaian et al, ).…”

“…Therefore, the plant oil has been considered as a natural pesticide against insect attack on stored food, thus prolonging their shelf life for many years (Jaya, Singh, Prakash, & Dubey, 2014). It has been reported that in vitro pediculicidal activity has also been shown by eugenol, isolated from A. conyzoides (Shailaian et al, 2013).…”

Wild sunflower and goat weed leaf meals composite-mix supplementation in broiler chickens: effects on performance, health status and meat

“…Goat weed (Ageratum conyzoides) is an aromatic, annual medicinal plant, which is a part of the family of Asteraceae. The plant is native to tropical America but now widely found in Southwest Nigeria particularly on cultivated fields and other ecosystems such as pastures, grasslands, wastelands, and forest areas (Shailajan et al, 2013). Every part of the plant is widely utilised in customary medicine as an antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anesthetic, and in treatment of bacterial infections (Santos et al, 2016).…”

“…According to Santos et al (2016), the plant possessed a vast variety of secondary metabolites, including mono and sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, steroids, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, and alkaloids. Goat weed is rich in mineral, vitamins (Shailajan et al, 2013), and other chemical compounds: crude protein (16.03%) and ash (10%) (Agida et al, 2017). Despite the wide range of reports on its medicinal properties and chemical composition, hardly any feeding trials have been performed on their effect on broiler production.…”

The Effect of Pyrethrum Extract and Natural Essential Oils on Head Lice: In Vitro Test and Clinical Evidence

“…The most common strategy currently available for coping with mentioned problems is using the pediculicide properties potential of plant extracts or essential oils. pediculicide properties have been reported for some essential oils and herbal extracts such as aniseed, rosemary, sage, cinnamon leaf, thyme red, tea tree oil, Ageratum conyzoides, Andrographis paniculata, Arcangelisia flava, Butea superba, Illicium verum, Nigella sativa, Azadirachta indica, Annona squamosal, Rutagra veolens, Melia azedarach and Sambucusau stralis [12][13][14][15][16].…”