Abstract

A NOVEL ANTI-PEDICULUS HUMANUS CAPITIS HERBAL GEL OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA AND MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA EXTRACT

Laxman S. Vijapur, Praveenkumar V. Vijapur, Somlingesh L. Shidramshettar, Shivaraj Hiremath*, Pooja Chippalakatti, Shweta Katagi, Raghuveer Pyati and Ajay Mahadev Khot

ABSTRACT

Background: Lice infestations, particularly from Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice), affect millions of individuals globally, especially frequent among children 3 to 11 years of age and may induce skin irritation, super infection from scratching, social stigmatization and psychological distress. Current treatments often rely on neurotoxic insecticides like permethrin, which are harmful and their contact time with head lice will be less which are not so effective and increasing resistance and adverse effects have led to a demand for safer, plant-based alternatives. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the pediculicidal activity of a novel herbal anti-head lice gel formulated with extracts from Azadirachta indica (neem) and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) which increases contact time of herbal extract and kills the head lice. Methodology: Herbal extracts of neem leaf, henna, amla & hibiscus were prepared with ethanol & propylene glycol by macerating for 7 days and herbal extract was used to prepare gel with tea tree oil, olive oil & camphor. Further the gels were tested for various parameters including physical appearance, viscosity, pH, spreadibilty, centrifugation & anti-headlice activity was performed. Results: Four formulations herbal extract gel (T1–T4) were developed with varying concentrations of neem and tea tree oil. The physical properties of the formulations, including pH (6–7), viscosity (1866–1873 cps), and spreadability (52.80–66.96 cm/sec), were suitable for effective scalp application. The anti-head lice activity showed that formulation T4, with the highest concentration of active ingredients, was most effective, killing lice and nymphs in 25–30 and 12–15 minutes, respectively. Conclusion: This study concludes that herbal formulations with neem and tea tree oil can provide a safe and effective alternative to synthetic pediculicides, offering improved control of head lice infestations without the associated side effects of conventional treatments with increased the contact time of phytoconstituents present in the herbal extract by formulating a gel and thus study led us to conclude that a better strategy for dealing with headlice with the least amount of side effects.

Keywords: Gel, Maceration method, Anti-Headlice Activity, Hydroalcoholic extract, Herbal.