Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Efficacy of herbal shampoo base on native plant against head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, Pediculidae: Phthiraptera) in vitro and in vivo in Thailand

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Head lice infestation (or pediculosis) is an important public health problem in Thailand, especially in children between the ages 5 and 11 years. Head lice resistance is increasing, chemical pediculicides have lost their efficacy, and, therefore, alternative pediculicides such as herbal shampoos have been proposed to treat head lice infestation. Thus, the present study investigated the efficacy of three herbal shampoos based on native plants in Thailand (Acorus calamus Linn., Phyllanthus emblica Linn., and Zanthoxylum limonella Alston) against head lice and compared them with carbaryl shampoo (Hafif shampoo®, 0.6 % w/v carbaryl), malathion shampoo (A-Lice shampoo®, 1.0 % w/v malathion), and commercial shampoos (Babi Mild Natural’ N Mild® and Johnson’s baby shampoo®) in order to assess their in vitro and in vivo efficacy. For in vitro study, doses of 0.12 and 0.25 ml/cm2 of each herbal shampoo were applied to filter paper, then 10 head lice were place on the filter paper. The mortalities of head lice were recorded at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min. The results revealed that all herbal shampoo were more effective on pediculicidal activity than chemical and commercial shampoos with 100 % mortality at 15 min; LT50 values ranged from 0.25 to 1.90 min. Meanwhile, chemical shampoos caused 20–80 % mortality, and LT50 values ranged from 6.50 to 85.43 min. On the other side, commercial shampoos showed 4.0 % mortality. The most effective pediculicide was Z. limonella shampoo, followed by A. calamus shampoo, P. emblica shampoo, carbaryl shampoo, malathion shampoo, and commercial shampoo, respectively. In vivo results showed that all herbal shampoos were also more effective for head lice treatment than chemical and commercial shampoos with 94.67–97.68 % of cure rate after the first treatment; the second treatment, 7 days later, revealed that the cure rate was 100 %. Meanwhile, chemical shampoo showed 71.67–93.0 % of cure rate and, unfortunately, commercial shampoos were nontoxic to head lice and showed 0 % of cure rate after the first and the second treatments. Our data showed that three herbal shampoos of native plants in Thailand in this study are suitable to be used as pediculicides for Thai children since it is safe for children and there is no side-effect after application.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdel-Ghaffar F, Semmler M (2007) Efficacy of neem seed extract shampoo on head lice of naturally infected humans in Egypt. Parasitol Res 100:329–332. doi:10.1007/S00436-006-0264-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Ghaffar F, Semmler M, Al-Rasheid K, Klimpel S, Mehlhorn H (2010a) Comparative in vitro tests on the efficacy and safety of 13 anti-head-lice products. Parasitol Res 106:423–429. doi:10.1007/S00436-009-1680-X

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Ghaffar F, Semmler M, Al-Rasheid K, Klimpel S, Mehlhorn H (2010b) Efficacy of a grapefruit extract on head lice: a clinical trial. Parasitol Res 106:445–449. doi:10.1007/S00436-009-1683-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagavan A, Rahuman AA, Kamaraj C, Elango G, Zahiz AA, Jayaseelan C, Santhoshkumar T, Marimuthu S (2011) Contact and fumigant toxicity of hexane flower bud extract of Syzygium aromaticum and its compounds against Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae). Parasitol Res 109:1329–1340. doi:10.1007/S00436-011-2425-1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barrios S, Zerba E, Picollo MI, Audino PG (2010) Activity of increased specific and non-specific esterases and glutathione transferases associated with resistance to permethrin in Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) from Argentina. Parasitol Res 106:415–421. doi:10.1007/S00436-009-1677-5

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess IF (2009) Current treatment for pediculosis capitis. Curr Opin Infect Dis 22:131–136

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess IF, Brunton ER, Burgess NA (2010) Clinical trial showing superiority of a coconut and anise spray over permethrin 0.43 % lotion for head louse infestation. Eur J Pediatr 169:55–62, ISRCTN 96469780

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess IF, Kay K, Burgess NA, Brunton ER (2011) Soya oil based shampoo superior to 0.5 % permethrin lotion for head louse infestation. Med Devices Evidence Res 4:35–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bush SE, Rock AN, Jones SL, Malenke JR, Clayton DH (2011) Efficacy of the Louse Bouster; a new medical device for treating head lice (Anoplura: Pediculidae). J Med Entomol 48:67–72

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campli ED, Bartolomeo SD, Giulio MD, Grande R, Nostro A, Cellini L (2012) Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs. Parasitol Res 111:1985–1992. doi:10.1007/S00436-012-3045-0

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Canadian Paediatric Society (2008) Head lice infestations: a clinical update. Paediatr Child Health 13:692–696

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpinella MC, Miranda M, Almiro WR, Ferrayoli CG, Almeid FL, Palacios SM (2007) In vitro pediculicidal and ovicidal activity of an extract and oil from fruits of Melia azedarach L. J American Academy of Dermatology 56:250–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark JM (2009) Determination, mechanism and monitoring of knockdown resistance in permethrin-resistant human head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis. J Asian-Pacific Entomol 12:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Das NG, Baruah I, Talukdar PK, Das SC (2003) Evaluation of botanicals as repellents against mosquitoes. J Vector Borne Diseases 40:49–53

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davarpanah MA, Mehrabani D, Khademolhosseini F, Mokhtari A, Bakhiari H, Neirami R (2009) The prevalence of Pediculus capitis among schoolchildren in Fars province, Southern Iran. Iranian J Parasitol 4:48–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Diamantis SA, Morrell DS, Burkhart CN (2009) Pediatric infestations. Padiatr Ann 38:326–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University (1992) Medicinal plants in Siri Ruckhachati Garden, 1st ed. Amarin Printing Group, Bangkok, pp 257

  • Falagas M, Matthaiou D, Rafailidis P, Panos G, Pappas G (2008) Worldwide prevalence of head lice. Emerg Infect Dis 14:1493–1494

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feldmeier H (2010) Diagnosis of head lice infestation: an evidence-based review. Open Dermato J 4:69–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldmeier H (2012) Pediculosis capitis: new insights into epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 9:2105–2110. doi:10.1007/S10096-012-1575-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frankowski BL, Bocchini JA (2010) Clinical report: head lice. Pediatrics 126:392–403

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frankowski BL, Weiner LB (2002) Head lice. Off J Am Acad Pediatr 110:638–643

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallardo A, Mougabure-Cueto G, Picollo MI (2009) Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice) and Pediculus humanus humanus (body lice): response to laboratory temperature and humidity and susceptibility to monoterpenoids. Parasitol Res 105:163–167. doi:10.1007/S 00436-009-1378-0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gallardo A, Mougabure-Cueto G, Vassena C, Picollo MI, Toloza AC (2012) Comparative efficacy of new commercial pediculicides against adult and eggs of Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice). Parasitol Res 110:1601–1606. doi:10.1007/S00436-011-2668-X

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greive KA, Barnes TM (2012) In vitro comparison of four treatments which discourage infestation by head lice. Parasitol Res 110:1695–1699. doi:10.1007/S00436-011-2687-7

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greive KA, Lui AH, Barnes TM, Oppenheim VMJ (2010) A randomized, assessor-blind, parallel-group, multicenter, phase 4 comparative trial of a suffocant compared with malathion in the treatment of head lice in children Australasian. J Dermatol 51:175–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Gur I, Schneeweiss R (2009) Head lice treatments and school policies in the us in an era of emerging resistance: A cost effectiveness analysis. Pharm Economics 27:725–734

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heukelbach J, Oliveira FAS, Speare R (2006) A new shampoo based on neem (Azadirachta indica) is highly effective against head lice in vitro. Parasitol Res 99:353–356. doi:10.1007/S00436-006-0146-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heukelbach J, Canyon DV, Speare R (2007) The effect of natural products on head lice: in vitro test and clinical evidence. J Ped Infect Dis 2:67–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Heukelbach J, Canyon DV, Oliveira FA, Muller R, Speare R (2008a) In vitro efficacy of over-the-counter botanical pediculicides against the head louse. Med Vet Entomol 22:264–272

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heukelbach J, Pilger D, Oliveira FA, Khakban A, Ariza L, Feldmeier H (2008b) A highly pediculicide based on dimeticone: randomized observer blinded comparative trial. BMC Infect Dis 8:1–10. doi:10.1186/1471-2338-8-115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter JA, Barker SC (2003) Susceptibility of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) to pediculicide in Australia. Parasitol Res 90:476–478. doi:10.1007/S00436-003-0881-Y

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Institute of Traditional Thai Medicine (1999) Native vegetables of Northern Thailand, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, pp280

  • Intaranongpai J, Chavasiri W, Gritsanapa W (2006) Anti-head lice effect of Annona saquamosa seeds. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 37:532–535

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jahnke C, Bauer E, Hengge UR, Feldmeier H (2009) Accuracy of diagnosis of pediculosis capitis: visual inspection as wet combing. Arch Dermat 145:309–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Ko CJ, Elston DM (2004) Pediculosis. J Am Acad Dermatol 50:1–12

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mehlhorn H, Abdel-Ghaffar F, Al-Rasheid KAS, Schmidt J, Semmler M (2011) Ovicidal effects of a neem seed extract preparation on eggs of body and head lice. Parasitol Res 109:1299–1302. doi:10.1007/S00436-011-2374-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muncuoglu M, Gilead L, Ingber A (2009) New insights in pediculosis and scabies. Expert Rev Dermotol 4:285–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nutanson I, Steen CJ, Schwartz RA, Janniger CK (2008) Pediculus humanus capitis: an update. Acta Dermatoven APA 17:147–159

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oh JM, Lee IY, Lee WJ, Seo M, Park SA, Lee SH, Seo JH, Yong TS, Shin MH, Pai KS, Yu JR, Sim S (2010) Prevalence of pediculosis capitis among Korean children. Parasitol Res 107:1415–1419. doi:10.1007/S00436-010-2016-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pichiensoonthorn P, Chawalit M, Jirawong V (1999) Textbook of King Nari’s Medicine and Pharmacology, Amarin Printing Group, Bangkok pp. 777

  • Priestley CM, Burgess IF, Williamson EM (2006) Lethality of essential oil constituents towards the human louse, Pediculus humanus, and its eggs. Fitoterapia 77:303–309

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rassami W, Soonwera M (2010) Insecticidal effect of herbal shampoo against human head louse under laboratory condition, Proceedings 16th Asian Agricultural Symposium and 1st International Symposium on Agricultural Technology, Bangkok. Scientific Publ, Bangkok pp 734-736 Aug 25–27, 2010. Tokai University and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

  • Rassami W, Soonwera M (2011) Effect of herbal shampoo from long pepper fruit extract to control human head louse of the Ladkrabang children, Bangkok, Thailand. J Agri Tech 7:331–338

    Google Scholar 

  • Rassami W, Soonwera M (2012) Epidemiology of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in the eastern area of Bangkok, Thailand. Asian Pacific J Trop Biomed 11:901–904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rassami W, Soonwera M (2013a) Pediculicidal effect of herbal shampoo against Pediculus humanus capitis in vitro. Trop Biomed 30:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Rassami W, Soonwera M (2013b) In vitro pediculicidal activity of herbal shampoo on Thai local plants against head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer). Parasitol Res 112:1411–1416. doi:10.1007/S00436-013-3292-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rossini C, Castillo L, Gonzalez A (2008) Plant extracts and their components as potential control agents against human head lice. Phytochem Rev 7:51–63. doi:10.1007/S11101-006-9026-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shrivastava V, Purwal L, Jain UK (2010) In vitro pediculicidal activity of juice of Citrus limon. Inter J Pharm Tech Res 2:1792–1795

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinthusiri J, Soonwera M (2013) Efficacy of herbal essential oils as insecticides against the housefly, Musca domestica L. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 44:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonnberg S, Oliveira FA, Araujo de Melo IL, de Melo SM, Becher H, Heukelbach J (2010) Ex vivo development of eggs from head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). Open Dermatol J 4:82–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Soonwera M, Rassami W (2011) Morphological study on human head louse and their control by herbal shampoo Scientific Pub: Faculty of Agricultural Technology. King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, p 45

    Google Scholar 

  • Soonwera M, Wangspha W (2008) Development of medicinal plant shampoo for controlling human head louse: case study on Thasabanwat songthum School, Samutprakan province. Proceedings in meeting of high education research in Thailand Scientific Publ, pp 139-143, Jan 28–29, 2008, Khonkaen University, Khonkaen

  • Soonwera M, Wangsapha W, Rassami W (2009) Application of botanical shampoo from Zingiberaceae plants to control human head louse on natural infected children of Khonkaen University, Khonkaen Scientific Publ, pp 67-70, Jan 29-30, 2009, Khonkaen University, Khonkaen

  • Thanyavanich N, Maneekan P, Yimsamran S, Maneeboonyang W, Puangsa-art S, Wuthisen P, Prommongkol S, Rukmanee P, Chimungkun W, Charusabha C (2009) Epidemiology and risk factors of pediculosis capitis in 5 primary schools near the Thai-Myanmar border in Ratchaburi province, Thailand. Trop Med Parasitol 32:65–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Thavara U, Phan-Urai P, Malainual A, Chansang C (1988) Pediculosis among schoolchildren in rural areas of Thailand. J Depart Med Sci 30:191–199

    Google Scholar 

  • Toloza AC, Lucia A, Zerba E, Masuh H, Picollo MI (2010) Eucalytus essential oil toxicity against permethrin-resistant Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae). Parasitol Res 106:449–414. doi:10.1007/S00436-009-1676-6

    Google Scholar 

  • Ugbomoiko US, Speare R, Heukelbach J (2008) Self-diagnosis of head lice infestation in rural Nigeria as a reliable rapid assessment tool of pediculosis. Open Dermatol J 2:95–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wananukul S, Chatproedprai S, Tempark T, Wananukul W (2011) Clinical response and safety of malathion shampoo for treatment of head lice in a primary school. J Med Assoc Thai 94:465–469

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1981) Instructions for determining the susceptibility or resistance of body lice and head lice to insecticides WHO VBC 81808 WH Organization Geneva, Switzerland

  • Yang YC, Lee HS, Clark JM, AHN YJ (2004) Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). J Med Entomol 41:699–704

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yang YC, Lee HS, Lee SH, Clark JM, Ahn YJ (2005) Ovicidal and adulticidal activities of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark essential oil compounds and related compounds against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Int J Parasitol 35:1595–1600

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon KS, Gao JR, Lee SH, Clark MC, Brown L, Tapling D (2003) Permethrin-resistant human head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis and their treatment. Arch Dermatol 139:994–1000

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon KS, Gao JR, Lee SH, Coles GC, Meinking TL, Tapling D, Edman JD, Takano-Lee M, Clark JM (2004) Resistance and cross-resistance to insecticides in human head lice from Florida and California. Pesticide Biochem Physiol 80:102–201

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Bangkok, Thailand. Gratitude are due to the plant taxonomist and entomologist of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology KMITL for plants and lice classification and identification. All herbal shampoo in this study was provided free of charge by the Medicinal Plant Laboratory, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, KMITL. The authors are grateful to all the authorities of the primary school in Ladkrabang area, Bangkok, Thailand, where head lice materials were collected and in vivo tested.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Production Technology Section, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok, 10520, Thailand

    Mayura Soonwera

Authors
  1. Mayura Soonwera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mayura Soonwera.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Soonwera, M. Efficacy of herbal shampoo base on native plant against head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, Pediculidae: Phthiraptera) in vitro and in vivo in Thailand. Parasitol Res 113, 3241–3250 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-3986-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-3986-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation