Comparative in vitro evaluation of the biocidal potential of neem (Azadirachta indica) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) ethanolic leaf extracts against dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)
Paper Details
Comparative in vitro evaluation of the biocidal potential of neem (Azadirachta indica) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) ethanolic leaf extracts against dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)
Abstract
This study was incubated to investigate the species specific ectoparasitic activity of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) ethanolic leaf extracts against canine tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and feline flea (Ctenocephalides felis). The observed effects were attributed to the presence of bioactive secondary metabolites, quantitatively identified as coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, and tannins, known to interrupt nervous signaling, membrane protection, and digestion processes in arthropods. This research determined a clear, specific response of parasites to the tested extract preparations, highlighting distinct acaricidal and fleacidal dynamics. In dog ticks, mortality was suggestively influenced equally by extract formulation and exposure period, signifying a time-dependent and treatment-dependent acaricidal action, showing predominantly swift and sustained lethal effect comparable to the commercial formulation, underscoring its strong potential for tick control applications. Cat fleas, in contrast, showed unvaryingly high death rate across all treatment groups and contact periods, with insignificant effects observed (p > 0.3), signifying that the anti-flea response had reached a maximal or ceiling response characterized by instantaneous and broad-spectrum efficacy. Collectively, these results underscore that ectoparasite vulnerability to tobacco and neem extracts differ by species in vitro, with ticks selectively responding with formulation type and time of exposure, whereas fleas are extremely vulnerable across all tested extracts, comparable to commercial formulations.
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Roel T. Calagui*, 2026. Comparative in vitro evaluation of the biocidal potential of neem (Azadirachta indica) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) ethanolic leaf extracts against dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). Int. J. Biosci., 28(6), 51-59.
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