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Antiparasitic activity of two Lavandula essential oils against Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Hexamita inflata

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Abstract

Two essential oils derived from Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula × intermedia were investigated for any antiparasitic activity against the human protozoal pathogens Giardia duodenalis and Trichomonas vaginalis and the fish pathogen Hexamita inflata: all of which have significant infection and economic impacts. The study has demonstrated that low (≤1%) concentrations of L. angustifolia and L. × intermedia oil can completely eliminate T. vaginalis, G. duodenalis and H. inflata in vitro. At 0.1% concentration, L. angustifolia oil was found to be slightly more effective than L × intermedia oil against G. duodenalis and H. inflata. The potential applications are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Crestwood Lavender (L. angustifolia) and Forever Lavender (L. × intermedia) for the donation of lavender oils used in this study and to Miss Janelle Wright, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, for advice and technical assistance with this project. This study was funded by a Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2678, Australia

    Therese Moon, Jenny M. Wilkinson & Heather M. A. Cavanagh

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  1. Therese Moon
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  2. Jenny M. Wilkinson
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  3. Heather M. A. Cavanagh
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Correspondence to Heather M. A. Cavanagh.

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Moon, T., Wilkinson, J.M. & Cavanagh, H.M.A. Antiparasitic activity of two Lavandula essential oils against Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Hexamita inflata . Parasitol Res 99, 722–728 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0234-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0234-8

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