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Acaricide activity in vitro of Acmella oleracea against Rhipicephalus microplus

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Abstract

Cattle tick control has been limited by the resistance of these parasites to synthetic acaricides. Natural products are a possible alternative as they have different mechanisms of action. Acmella oleracea is a native plant with a large cultivated area in the Amazon region and could be easily used for large-scale preparation of a commercial product. This study evaluated the in vitro action of the hexane extract of the aerial parts of A. oleracea on larvae and engorged females of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Spilanthol was the major constituent with a content of 14.8 % in the extract. The hexane extract of A. oleracea was highly effective against larvae of R. microplus with an LC50 of 0.8 mg mL−1. Against engorged females, hexane extract of A. oleracea reduced oviposition and hatchability of eggs with an LC50 of 79.7 mg mL−1. Larvae and engorged females were killed by the hexane extract with high efficiency (>95 %) at concentrations of 3.1 and 150.0 mg mL−1, respectively. These results demonstrate that the hexane extract of A. oleracea has significant activity against R. microplus and has potential to be developed into formulations for tick control.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank João Batista Alves de Souza for his valuable contribution in the experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Embrapa Meio-Norte, BR 343, km 35, CP 341, CEP 64.200-970, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil

    K. N. C. Castro

  2. Anidro do Brasil Extrações S.A., Povoado Rosápolis s/n, CEP: 64.218-710, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil

    D. F. Lima & L. C. Vasconcelos

  3. Universidade Federal do Piauí, av. São Sebastião n. 2.819, CEP: 64.202-020, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil

    J. R. S. A. Leite & R. C. Santos

  4. Universidade Estadual do Piauí, av. Nossa Senhora de Fátima, s/n, Bairro de Fátima, CEP: 64.202-220, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil

    A. A. Paz Neto

  5. Universidade Federal do Maranhão, BR 222, km 04, S/N, Boa Vista, CEP: 65500-000, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil

    L. M. Costa-Júnior

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  1. K. N. C. Castro
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  2. D. F. Lima
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  3. L. C. Vasconcelos
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  4. J. R. S. A. Leite
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  6. A. A. Paz Neto
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  7. L. M. Costa-Júnior
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Correspondence to K. N. C. Castro.

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Castro, K.N.C., Lima, D.F., Vasconcelos, L.C. et al. Acaricide activity in vitro of Acmella oleracea against Rhipicephalus microplus . Parasitol Res 113, 3697–3701 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-4034-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-4034-2

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