Pediculicidal Activity of Benzyl Alcohol against Head Lice Pediculus Humans Capitis | ||||
| Journal of High Institute of Public Health | ||||
| Article 12, Volume 33, Issue 3, July 2003, Page 573-584 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jhiph.2003.195183 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
| Nadia E. Abou El Ela1; Essam E. Enan2 | ||||
| 1Vector Control, Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, University of Alexandria, Egypt | ||||
| 2Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Three different studies were conducted to determine the pediculicidal activity of plant essential oil [benzyl alcohol, BA] by itself and in combination with rosemary oil, soybean oil and menthyl salicylate. In the first study, different concentrations of technical BA were tested against head lice Pediculus humanus capitis. In the second study, the pediculicidal activity of 5% BA-formulated dust was addressed and the last study was performed to determine whether a mixture of BA with other agents, such as rosemary oil, soybean oil and menthyl salicylate, might express a synergistic action against head lice. The data demonstrated that BA expressed remarkable pediculicidal activity regardless of its form. However, it was found that the BA-formulated dust was at least 7-fold more efficacious against head lice than the technical BA. The data also demonstrated that the biological activity of BA against head lice is dose-dependent and time-dependent. An equal part mixture of BA with either rosemary oil or soybean oil did not demonstrate significant changes in the efficacy bevond the effectiveness of BA by itself. A significant reduction in the usefulness of BA however, was found when it was mixed with an equal part of menthyl salicylate as judged by increasing the time required to kill 100% of exposed head lice. Finally, the data clearly demonstrated that BA is at least as effective as the commercial anti-head lice product Quick that contains 0.5% malathion [w/v] as an active ingredient. In conclusion, BA is a pediculicide and it is recommended not to be mixed with menthyl salicylate. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Pediculicidal Activity; Benzyl Alcohol; Head Lice | ||||
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