Journal of Veterinary Parasitology, Vol.

12 (1) 1998 : 46-47

EFFICACY OF THE HERBAL COMPOUND AV/EPP/14 AGAINST" ECTOPARASITES OF

DOGS.

N.G. Bhilegaonkar and D.K. Maske Nagpur Veterinary College ,

Seminary Hills, Nagpur-440 006, India

ABSTRACT

Bhilegaonkar, N.G. and Maske, D.K., 1998. Efficacy of the herbal compound
AV/EPP/14 against" ectoparasites of dogs. J. Vet. Parasitol. 12 (1): 46-47.

The efficacy of herbal ectoparasiticide AV/EPP/14 was evaluated in vitro against

ectoparasites of dogs. The formulation at 1:4 concentration was effective in killing larva,
nymph and adult ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) in 5 hr, 30 hr, 72 hr, respectively. Against
fleas (Ctenocephalides), lice (Heterodoxus spiniger), and mites (Sarcoptes scabiei), cent
percent mortality was observed in 8 min, 4 min and 7 hr, respectively.
Key words: Herbal drug, Ectoparasites, Dogs, Chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION
Ectoparasites are the most frequent cause of dermatologic problems in dogs and cats
(Macdonald, 1983). Chemical insecticides have been widely tried against ectoparasites, but their
toxicity to animals, man and environment, as well as, diminishing efficacy due to resistance
problem (Nolan, 1987) have led to the continuing search for safe, effective and eco-friendly
alternative approaches. The efficacy of an herbal ectoparasiticide AV/EPP/14 was
assessed in vitro against commonly occurring ectoparasites of dogs and the results are
reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ticks, fleas, lice and mange mites from the bodies of naturally infested dogs of private owners
were collected and identified using standard keys. Engorged females of Rhipicephalus
sanguineus were kept for oviposition in specimen vials. The test procedure followed was that
of Khan and Srivastava (1977) with a modification of time of exposure. Only the recommended
concentration of AV/EPP/14 (emulsifiable compound) viz., 1:4 was used. Freshly hatched 6
days-old larvae were treated with AV/EPP/14 by pressing between folds of filter paper soaked in
freshly prepared dilution (in tap water) for 5 min. Parallel controls treated with plain water
were kept for each batch. Observations on larval mortality were recorded at hourly intervals
after treatment (Table-1). The nymphicidal effect of AV/EPP/14 was similarly studied by
dipping 5 to 6 days-old fed nymphs in AV/EPP/ 14 for 15 min and observing at 6-hourIy
intervals for mortality. The acaricidal activity of AV/EPP/14 against adult ticks was studied by
treating batches (comprising 5 males and 5 engorged females each) of R. sanguineus in the
same manner. Observations were recorded at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr after acaricidal
treatment.

Batches of dog fleas Ctenocephalides canis were exposed by transferring them to vials freshly
coated with AV/EPP/14. The mortality was recorded at 6, 8, 10 and 12 min following treatment.
Control batches were maintained in vials coated with plain tap water. Freshly collected dog lice
(Heterodoxus spiniger) were transferred to petridishes which were sprayed on by AV/EPP/14 in
1:4 concentration. The mortality of lice were recorded at 1, 2, 3 and 4 min after treatment. Skin
scrapings of mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) infected dog were brought in petridishes, sprayed with
AV/ EPP/14 and the mortality of mites was noted at 4, 5,6 and 7 hr.
All observations were recorded at laboratory temperature ranging from 25.1° to 30.2°C and RH
of 48.40 to 84.6 percent.

Table 1. In vitro effect of AV/EPP/14 (1:4 cone.) on ectoparasites of dogs

No. Percent mortality Partial

Ectoparasites replicates 100 %

Ticks
R. sanguineus
Larvae 38 in 4 h r 5 hr
20(5)
Nymph 56 in24 hr 30 hr
10(5)
Adults 62 in 48 hr 72 hr
10(5)
Fleas
C. canis
Lice 7(4) 32 in 6 min 8 min
H. Spiniger
8(5) 55 in 3 min 4 min
Mites
Sarcoptes scabie
8-11(13) 43 in 6 hr 7 hr
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
After 4 hr of exposure to AV/EPP/14, 38 to 4 percent larvae died and 100 percent mortality ensued at
5 hr (Table-1). In nymphal ticks, mortality ranged between 5 to 60 percent at 24 hr and rose to 1
percent in all the replicates at 3 hr. Among adult ticks mortality ranged between 5 to 70 percent at 48
hr and 100 percent at 72 hr.
At 6 min of exposure to AV/EPP/14, 30 to 43 percent fleas died and 100 percent in 8 min. The lice
Heterodoxus was even more susceptible and 50 to 60 percent died at 3 min and 100 percent at 4
min. The spray of AV/EPP/14 resulted into 37.5 to 45 percent mortality of mites at 6 hr and 100
percent at 7 hr. No mortality was observed in control groups of any of the ectoparasites.
In order to reduce reliance on synthetic acaricides, there is need to diversify and evaluate eco-
friendly compounds of plant origin. The efficacy of herbal formulations against mange in dogs (Das,
1996; Mignon and Losson, 1996) and of AV/EPP/14 against mange and other ectoparasites in dogs
has earlier been reported (Roy et al, 1996; Sharma, 1996). The herbal ingredients of AV/EPP/14
viz. Acorus calamus, Azadirachta indica, Pongamia glabra, Cedrus deodara and Eucalyptus
globulus are known for their insecticidal, growth inhibitory, anti-moulting. anti-fertility and repellent
activities (Roy et al., 1996).
Relatively longer exposure is required in comparison to synthetic chemicals. This may be viewed
that plant based acaricides are not contact poisons but act through multiple modes of action. Though the
action of AV/APE/14 is somewhat delayed, but the ultimate effect in idling or inhibiting the arthropods is
almost identical. Moreover, prolonged contact with the formulation is neither a discomfort nor a
toxicity risk unlike chemical acaricides (Sharma, 1996).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was carried out as part of a project sponsored by M/s Dabur Ayurvet Limited, Sahibabad,
Ghaziabad
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Journal of Veterinary Parasitology, Vol.12 (1) 1998: 50-51