title: Effectiveness of lotions based on essential oils from aromatic plants against permethrin resistant Pediculus humanus capitis.
abstract: In Argentina, field populations of the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) have developed resistance to permethrin and other pyrethroids. Thus, the aim of this work was the development of a lotion containing essential oils from plants and an alcoholic coadjuvant to improve biological effect. Ethanol + isopropanol (1 + 1 in volume) 50% in water and ethanol 96% were taken as bases for preparation of experimental lotions containing essential oils from plants. We found that experimental lotions containing lavender, peppermint and eucalyptus oils in a 5% composition and the combination of eucalyptus and peppermint in a total concentration of 10%, dissolved in 50% ethanol + isopropanol (1 + 1) in water, showed the best knockdown effect. On the other side, lotion containing peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil (1 + 1) 10%, dissolved in ethanol 96%, showed to be as effective as the best commercial lotion now available in Argentina. Furthermore, addition of 1-dodecanol in all cases increased the effectiveness of all the experimental lotions. This difference is significantly important for 1-dodecanol concentration of 10%, reaching a toxic activity compared to the best commercial lotion available in the market.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas (CIPEIN-CITEFA/CONICET), J. B. De Lasalle 4397 (B1603ALO) Villa Martelli, Buenos Aires, Argentina. pgonzalezaudino@citefa.gov.ar
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gonzalez Audino
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vassena
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zerba
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Picollo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007851:Dodecanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005052:Eucalyptus; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007305:Insecticide Resistance; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027523:Lavandula; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D036142:Mentha piperita; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010374:Pediculus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D026023:Permethrin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007306:Insecticides; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D007851:Dodecanol; D026023:Permethrin; C015424:peppermint oil; C045718:lavender oil