Acaricidal Activity of Artemisia nilagirica Leaves Against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus Ticks

Abstract

Since time immemorial, human beings have used various parts of plants in either prevention or treatment of ailments. Plants are rich sources of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds with a high structural diversity. Many plants/herbs with specific biological activities such as antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, sedative, and acaricidal activity have been reported. Artemisia nilagirica (C. B. Clarke) Pamp. (Compositae) is a plant traditionally used for insect control in the southern part of India. Previous studies have demonstrated the activity of Artemisia species against pests. The present study thus evaluates the acaricidal activity of crude ethanolic extract of A. nilagirica leaves and its fractions against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus. Ticks are ectoparasites that transmit several protozoal, viral, and rickettsial diseases. In south India, R. (B.) annulatus is the commonly observed tick species. Control of these acarine parasites that adversely affect milk and meat production is a tough task. Chemical acaricides such as organophosphates, synthetic pyrethroids, amitraz, and ivermectin are commonly used in tick control. The high cost, environmental hazards, and development of acaricidal resistance are some of the drawbacks of these chemical acaricides. Plant-based formulations are one of the promising approaches for the control of ectoparasites. Previously, extracts from various medicinal/aromatic plants were reported for acaricidal activity from our laboratory, such as Tetrastigma leucostaphylum (Dennst.) Alston, Chassalia curviflora (Wall.) Thwaites, Jatropha curcas L., and Ageratum conyzoides Hieron. Biochemical quantification, fluorescence analysis, and primary phytochemical analysis are already reported for the ethanolic extract and its fractions of areal parts of A. nilagirica. Phytochemical characterization of ethanolic extract of A. nilagirica from Kerala, India was shown to have the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, fixed oils and fats, tannins, and glycosides.

Modulation of the PGE2-Mediated Pathway in the Eclosion Blocking Effect of Flumethrin and Terpenoid Subfraction Isolated from Artemesia nilagirica in Rhipicephalus annulatus

“…The presence of a high content of sesquiterpenoids and cyclocolorenones in the hexane fraction of A. nilagirica was reported recently [ 45 ]. The presence of elevated content of the terpenoids in A. nilagirica collected from higher altitudes was also reported [ 60 , 61 , 62 ].…”

“…The acaricidal properties of the plant extracts against R. microplus were attributed mainly to the terpenoids [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Recently, the crude ethanolic extract and the hexane fraction of the ethanolic extract of A. nilagirica were reported with concentration-dependent larvicidal, and adulticidal activities against R. annulatus [ 45 ]. Furthermore, the study also showed the higher effectiveness of the hexane fraction on the inhibition of fecundity over ethanolic extract against R. annulatus ticks.…”

“…Artemisia nilagirica (Clarke) Pamp., a tall aromatic herbaceous perennial shrub belonging to the family Asteraceae, locally known as “Indian wormwood”, has demonstrated antimalarial, anthelmintic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and astringent activities [ 42 , 43 ]. Remarkable larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal as well as repellent properties against Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes [ 44 ] and acaricidal potential against R. annulatus [ 45 ] of this plant extract were already reported. A recent review article on secondary metabolites of the genus Artemisia revealed the pesticidal activity of the mono- and sesquiterpenes of the plant [ 46 ].…”

“…Previously, Udayan et al [ 45 ] revealed the eclosion blocking activity of three subfractions from the active hexane fraction of the ethanolic extract of A. nilagirica on the eggs laid by the treated R. annulatus ticks. The incomplete maturation of oocytes observed could be due to the inhibition of biosynthesis, release or activity of PGE 2 , resulting in the inhibition of ecdysteroid synthesis and thereby the vitellogenesis process.…”

The First Study for The Acaricidal Activity of Alcoholic Extracts of Adiantum capillus-veneris and Funaria hygrometric against Argas persicus

“…Ticks are ectoparasites that transmit many protozoal, viral, and rickettsial diseases that can cause serious harm to animal and human health (Nwanade et al, 2020;Udayan et al, 2020). The high cost, environmental hazards, and development of acaricidal resistance are some of the defects of these chemical acaricides (Udayan et al, 2020) and led to the search for safer and more environmentally friendly alternative methods without compromising efficacy (Nwanade et al, 2020). Plant-based formulations are one of the most promising approaches for controlling ectoparasites (Nwanade et al, 2020;Udayan et al, 2020), including ticks.…”