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195183

Pediculicidal Activity of Benzyl Alcohol against Head Lice Pediculus Humans Capitis

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Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

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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.

DOI

10.21608/jhiph.2003.195183

Keywords

Pediculicidal Activity, benzyl alcohol, Head lice

Authors

First Name

Nadia

Last Name

Abou El Ela

MiddleName

E.

Affiliation

Vector Control, Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, University of Alexandria, Egypt

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First Name

Essam

Last Name

Enan

MiddleName

E.

Affiliation

Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

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Volume

33

Article Issue

3

Related Issue

27358

Issue Date

2003-07-01

Receive Date

2021-09-19

Publish Date

2003-07-01

Page Start

573

Page End

584

Print ISSN

2357-0601

Online ISSN

2357-061X

Link

https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_195183.html

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https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=195183

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12

Type

Original Article

Type Code

511

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Journal of High Institute of Public Health

Publication Link

https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023