Preliminary in-vitro acaricidal screening of selected Indian medicinal plants against RhipicephaluS microplus

Abstract

Rhipicephalus microplus is also known as Asian blue tick or cattle tick. This tick is prominent in all parts of India including Gujarat. In this study, in-vitro acaricidal activity was evaluated by the Adult immersion Test against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus also known as cattle ticks. Aqueous extracts of various medicinal plants were evaluated for their acaricidal activity. In the assay, test solutions were prepared to consist of 100, 500 and 1000 ug/ml of extracts and 10 to 50% v/v solution of oils in 50% V/v ethanol. Ticks were immersed in the test solutions for 2 minutes and mortality of the ticks was recorded after 24 hours. Except for the test solution of aqueous extract of A. marmelos leaves (100 ug/ml), ticks died (100% mortality) in all the test solutions containing extracts and oils. All the tested plants could be used against R. microplus as a potential alternative to chemical-based drugs.