Acaricidal Efficacy of Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Against Hyalomma dromedarii (Acari: Ixodidae) and Their Toxic Effects on Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Purpose The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized by Melia azedarach aqueous extract to control Hyalomma dromedarii tick, and to evaluate their toxic effects on Swiss albino mice. Methods ZnO NPs were synthesized using M. azedarach aqueous extract. UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were used to characterize the synthesized NPs. Egg, nymph, larva, and adult immersion tests were used for bioassay of tick stages with the synthesized ZnO NP. A toxicity study was performed on Swiss albino mice after treatment with 1/10 of the oral LD50 of ZnO NPs (8437 mg/kg) for 5 successive days by oral gavage. Results The LC50 of ZnO NPs on the eggs, larvae, and nymphs was 11.6, 8.03, and 3.9 mg/ml, respectively. The reproductive performance of females treated with ZnO NPs was lower than that of untreated females. The hematological results showed an insignificant increase in the level of white blood cells with normal red blood cells, hemoglobin, in addition to normal platelet count. The biochemical analysis showed an insignificant increased level (P > 0.05) of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase. The liver and kidney suffered few histopathological changes after oral administration of ZnO NPs. Conclusion These results suggest that ZnO NPs have good acaricidal activity against eggs, larvae, and engorged nymphs of H. dromedarii. ZnO NPs minimized the number of eggs laid by engorged females and the hatchability of their eggs. ZnO NPs did not affect unfed adults. The toxicity results of the mice revealed insignificant changes in the hemogram, biochemistry, with liver and kidney suffering few histopathological changes. Future studies are needed to assess application routes (topical vs oral). Based on these findings, ZnO NPs may be incorporated in the control of camel tick H. dromedarii.

Application of Cypermethrin-Coated ZnS and ZnO Nanoparticles against Rhipicephalus Ticks

“…The nanomaterials developed by a biological route had shown relatively lower LC 50 compared with nanomaterials synthesized following chemical routes. This is evident from the study by Abdel-Ghany and co-workers, who reported an LC 50 of 11.6 mg/mL in the egg immersion test compared with the lower (1.8) seen in our study [ 42 ]. In contrast to that, in our previous study, the LC 50 attributed to the green-mediated ZnO nanoparticles of neem and lemon grass were lower for adults (4.76 and 4.92 mg/L, respectively) compared with LC 50 of 5.03 mg/L in adults used for current study [ 43 ].…”

Green Synthesis of Uncoated and Olive Leaf Extract-Coated Silver Nanoparticles: Sunlight Photocatalytic, Antiparasitic, and Antifungal Activities

“…Up to seven days of incubation, daily data on the death rate was kept. Daily observations were conducted using appropriate changes to previously published procedures, and after the mortality rate reached 50%, the adult tick mortality (%) was recorded [ 53 , 64 ].…”

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Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil from Ruta chalepensis L. Growing Wild and its Acaricidal Activity Against the Cattle Tick Rhipicephalus annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae)

“…Adult immersion test was used in the bioassay of R. chalepensis essential oil (REO) against R. annulatus ticks according to Abdel-Ghany et al [43]. Five different concentrations (10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, and 0.625%) of REO were prepared in 70% ethyl alcohol.…”