Phytochemical composition, miticidal and pediculicidal efficacy of ethanolic leaf extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) against Pterolichus obtusus and Goniodes dissimilis

Paper Details

Research Paper 08/01/2026
Views (5)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Phytochemical composition, miticidal and pediculicidal efficacy of ethanolic leaf extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) against Pterolichus obtusus and Goniodes dissimilis

Roel T. Calagui*, Sherwin L. Alota, Jhaysel G. Rumbaoa, Glydel Joy T. Ragutero, Kyrone D. Ancheta, Lovely Grace V. Jacinto, Kjelle Cristlea P. Cabang, Bryan Jerome R. Bassig
J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(1), 68-77, January 2026.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2026; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Ectoparasite infestations cause indirect losses to animals due to weakened health, augmented death rates, and an amplified menace of disease transmission. Botanical insecticides work well and improve the immune system, which may help avert chemical resistance; however, using these results in clinical or veterinary practice requires preclinical and clinical studies to ensure they elicit the desired effect, establish the right dose, and guarantee the formulation is safe and consistent. The current study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of  Azadirachta indica leaf and Nicotiana tabacum leaf ethanolic extracts in vitro against Pterolichus obtusus and Goniodes dissimilis. The stock solutions had a concentration of 100 mg/ml using an aqueous solvent. Qualitative phytochemical screening has demonstrated the presence of secondary metabolites encompassing coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, and tannins. Statistically,  no notable response was recorded against Goniodes dissimilis, which appeared almost unaffected by treatment type and duration. Moreover, findings infer that the individual activity of both plants, and even when combined together, yields an intensely substantial effect on mortality against  Pterolichus obtusus, with death rates evidently mounting as contact extends from 3 to 15 hours. Mortality rates at 9, 12, and 15 hours are significantly raised in contrast to 3 and 6 hours (all p < .001), and a modest yet remarkable increase is observed between 12 and 15 hours (p = .034).  The result demonstrates that prolonged exposure is essential for attaining significant mortality against susceptible parasites. Strong statistical proof that plant-based extracts, both alone and in combination, have a big effect on how mites respond. The results show that botanical acaricides can be used as an alternative to synthetic ones, considering the pharmacological activities of plant metabolites, thus stressing the essential of improving botanical formulation and longer exposure time to attain the desired specific effect.

Abbas G, Ali M, Hamaed A, Al-Sibani M, Hussain H, Al-Harrasi A. 2020. Azadirachta indica: the medicinal properties of the global problem-solving tree. In: Biodiversity and Biomedicine, pp. 305–316.

Abbasi E, Daliri S, Yazdani Z, Mohseni S, Mohammadyan G, Seyed Hosseini SN, Haghighi RN. 2023. Evaluation of resistance of human head lice to pyrethroid insecticides: a meta-analysis study. Heliyon 9(6), e17219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17219

Alghashmari IH, Zelai NT. 2025. Knockdown-resistant mutations in head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) collected from schoolchildren in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Scientific Reports 15, 2412. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86574-y

Anbu Jeba Sunilson JS, Suraj R, Rejitha G, Anandarajagopal K, Vimala AG, Husain HA. 2009. In vitro screening of anti-lice activity of Pongamia pinnata leaves. Korean Journal of Parasitology 47(4), 377–380.https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2009.47.4.377

Asghar HA, Abbas SQ, Arshad MK, et al. 2022. Therapeutic potential of Azadirachta indica (neem): a comprehensive review. Scholars International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 5, 47–64.

Bolaji O, Abolade YA, Aduwa S. 2024. Potential health and environmental benefits of the identified phytochemicals from Azadirachta indica neem leaves in Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences 26(3), 68.

Bouvresse S, Berdjane Z, Durand R, Bouscaillou J, Izri A, Chosidow O. 2012. Permethrin and malathion resistance in head lice: results of ex vivo and molecular assays. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 67(6), 1143–1150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2012.04.011

Bubols GB, Vianna DR, Medina-Remon A, von Poser G, Lamuela-Raventós RM, Eifler-Lima VL, Garcia SC. 2013. The antioxidant activity of coumarins and flavonoids. Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 13(3), 318–334. https://doi.org/10.2174/138955713804999775

Burgess IF. 2022. Physically acting treatments for head lice: can we still claim they are resistance proof? Pharmaceutics 14(11), 2430. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14112430

Chagas MDSS, Behrens MD, Moragas-Tellis CJ, Penedo GXM, Silva AR, Gonçalves-de-Albuquerque CF. 2022. Flavonols and flavones as potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial compounds. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity 2022, 9966750. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9966750

Chen ZZ, Deng YX, Yin ZQ, Wei Q, Li M, Jia RY, Xu J, Li L, Song X, Liang XX, Shu G, He CL, Gu XB, Lv C, Yin L. 2014. Studies on the acaricidal mechanism of the active components from neem (Azadirachta indica) oil against Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi. Veterinary Parasitology 204(3–4), 323–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.05.040

Chikhi-Chorfi N, Haddadj F, Djellout B, Zenia S, Hazzit M, Marniche F, Milla A, Smai A. 2025. Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of essential oils from Origanum floribundum and Eucalyptus citriodora against the louse Bovicola limbatus. Molecules 30(19), 4001. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30194001

Corpuz AV, Florentino CM, Quilana PET, Reotutar AJP, Reyes RAT. 2025. Acaricidal activity of Azadirachta indica and Carica papaya leaf extracts against Rhipicephalus sanguineus using spray method. OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences 25(2), 426–436. https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2025.426.436

Dhakad AK, Kumar R, Choudhary R, Singh S, Khan S, Poonia PK. 2025. Traditional to modern perspectives on neem (Azadirachta indica): a gateway to bioactive compounds, sustainable agrochemicals and industrial applications. Industrial Crops and Products 231, 121155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.121155

Garg HS, Biukuni DS. 1985. 2′,3′-Dehydrosalannol, a tetranortriterpenoid from Azadirachta indica leaves. Phytochemistry 24(4), 866–867. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84913-4

Ghavami MB, Panahi S, Nabati SM, Ghanbari M, Taghiloo B. 2023. A comprehensive survey of permethrin resistance in human head louse populations from northwest Iran: ex vivo and molecular monitoring of knockdown resistance alleles. Parasites and Vectors 16(1), 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05652-0

Hanifah AL, Awang SH, Ming HT, Abidin SZ, Omar MH. 2011. Acaricidal activity of Cymbopogon citratus and Azadirachta indica against house dust mites. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 1(5), 365–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(11)60081-6

Heukelbach J, Canyon DV, Oliveira FA, Muller R, Speare R. 2008. In vitro efficacy of over-the-counter botanical pediculicides against the head louse Pediculus humanus var. capitis based on a stringent standard for mortality assessment. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 22(3), 264–272. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2915.2008.00738.x

Huang HP, Lien YH. 2013. Treatment of canine generalized demodicosis associated with hyperadrenocorticism with spot-on moxidectin and imidacloprid. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 55(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-55-40

Jeba Malar TRJ, Antonyswamy J, Vijayaraghavan P, Ock Kim Y, Al-Ghamdi AA, Elshikh MS, Hatamleh AA, Al-Dosary MA, Na SW, Kim HJ. 2020. In vitro phytochemical and pharmacological bio-efficacy studies on Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Melia azedarach Linn for anticancer activity. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 27(2), 682–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2019.11.024

Martínez LC, Plata-Rueda A, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. 2014. Comparative toxicity of six insecticides on the rhinoceros beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Florida Entomologist 97(3), 1056–1062.

Miller AL, Tindall K, Leonard BR. 2010. Bioassays for monitoring insecticide resistance. Journal of Visualized Experiments 46, 2129. https://doi.org/10.3791/2129

Mohammadi J, Azizi K, Alipour H, Kalantari M, Bagheri M, Shahriari-Namadi M, Ebrahimi S, Moemenbellah-Fard MD. 2021. Frequency of pyrethroid resistance in human head louse treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasite 28, 86. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2021083

Mohideen M, Abidin NSIZ, Idris MIH, Kamaruzaman NA. 2022. An overview of antibacterial and antifungal effects of Azadirachta indica crude extract: a narrative review. Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal 15(1).

Ouerfelli M, Metón I, Codina-Torrella I, Almajano MP. 2022. Antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of Azadirachta indica leaf extract and its effect on oil-in-water food emulsion stability. Molecules 27(22), 7772. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27227772

Prommaban A, Kheawfu K, Chittasupho C, Sirilun S, Hemsuwimon K, Chaiyana W. 2022. Phytochemical, antioxidant, antihyaluronidase, antityrosinase, and antimicrobial properties of Nicotiana tabacum L. leaf extracts. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2022, 5761764. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5761764

Saad el-Z, Hussien R, Saher F, Ahmed Z. 2006. Acaricidal activities of some essential oils and their monoterpenoidal constituents against house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B 7(12), 957–962. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0957

Sarkar S, Singh RP, Bhattacharya G. 2021. Exploring the role of Azadirachta indica (neem) and its active compounds in the regulation of biological pathways: an update on molecular approach. 3 Biotech 11(4), 178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-021-02745-4

Seddiek SA, Khater HF, El-Shorbagy MM, Ali AM. 2013. The acaricidal efficacy of aqueous neem extract and ivermectin against Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi in experimentally infested rabbits. Parasitology Research 112(6), 2319–2330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3395-2

Singaravelu S, Sankarapillai S, Jaikumar S, Chandrakumari S, Abilash, Sinha P. 2019. Effect of Azadirachta indica crude bark extract concentrations against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences 11(1), 33–37. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.JPBS15018

Sioutas G, Tsouknidas A, Gelasakis AI, Vlachou A, Kaldeli AK, Kouki M, Symeonidou I, Papadopoulos E. 2023. In vitro acaricidal activity of silver nanoparticles against the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae). Pharmaceutics 15(2), 659. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020659

Subapriya R, Nagini S. 2005. Medicinal properties of neem leaves: a review. Current Medicinal Chemistry – Anti-Cancer Agents 5(2), 149–156.

Tang Y, Li H, Song Q. 2024. Lemongrass essential oil and its major component citronellol: evaluation of larvicidal activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition against Anopheles sinensis. Parasitology Research 123(9), 315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08338-3

Yingklang M, Gordon CN, Jaidee PH, Thongpon P, Pinlaor S. 2023. Comparative efficacy of chemical and botanical pediculicides in Thailand and 4% dimeticone against head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis. PLoS One 18(6), e0287616. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287616

Related Articles

Mangroves under pressure: Local threats and management realities in Malamawi Island, Basilan, Philippines

Norvie Semine*, Jill Ruby Parmisana, Ashikeen Tampipi, Chris Rey Lituanas, Wella Tatil, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(1), 56-67, January 2026.

Institutional e-waste management: A knowledge, attitude, and perception study among the administrative staff at Mindanao State University, Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines

Rezanne Mabyl Burlado*, Rodolfo II Romarate, Peter Suson, Wella Tatil, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(1), 40-55, January 2026.

Biomass and carbon stocks of fine litterfall and coarse woody debris in riparian and non-riparian tropical forests of Carmen, Bohol, Philippines

Carl Anthony G. Budiongan, Jairyl B. Oclarit*, Noel T. Lomosbog, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(1), 24-39, January 2026.

Microhabitat and seasonal influences on terrestrial mollusc communities in a reforested secondary forest, south-eastern Côte d’Ivoire

Amani N’dri Saint-Clair*, Pokou Konan Pacome, N'dri Kouassi Jerome, Otchoumou Atcho, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(1), 12-23, January 2026.

Assessing local responses to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay: A baseline study using the I-FIT tool

Norlika D. Moti*, Judy Ann H. Fernandez, Angelica M. Darunday, Larry C. Herbito Jr., Armi G. Torres, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(1), 1-11, January 2026.

Parasites associated with bile contents of gall bladder from pigs in Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria

E. Lemy Ede*, D. A. Regina Orhewere, Asah Esegbuyota, Owhororo Ejiro, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(6), 91-98, December 2025.

Validation of satellite rainfall monitor (SRM) estimates against automated rain gauge observations in the Cagayan de Oro River Basin, Philippines

Elgin Joy N. Bonalos*, Johniel E. Babiera, Peter D. Suson, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(6), 79-90, December 2025.

Impact of waste from the municipal slaughterhouse in Nkongsamba on plant diversity (Littoral-Cameroon)

Valerie Njitat Tsama*, Yanick Borel Kamga, Adélaïde Tschimkap Nkidja, François Victor Nguetsop, Zache Ambang, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(6), 66-78, December 2025.