Crude ethanolic extracts of different parts of Gallesia integrifolia (Phytolaccaceae) for the control of Rhipicephalus microplus

Abstract

ABSTRACT The ectoparasite Rhipicephalus microplus has caused huge economic losses in livestock, and its synthetic chemical control resulted in acaricidal resistant ticks, environmental damages and residues in bovine products. Therefore, it is important to search for alternative products to control this parasite. This study aimed to characterize the crude extracts of different parts of Gallesia integrifolia by GC and MS, and to evaluate the acaricidal activity against R. microplus by adult immersion test (AIT) and larval packet immersion test (LPIT). The acaricidal activity was verified by adult immersion test and larval packet test, while the anticholinesterase activity was done by bioautographic method. The results showed greater larvicidal activity of crude extracts from flowers (LC99.9 = 15.82 mg/mL) and fruits (LC99.9 = 16.13 mg/mL), when compared to the leaf crude extract (LC99.9 = 18.39 mg/mL). Product efficiency of flower and fruit extracts at 12.5 mg/mL was 96.9% and 96.2%, respectively, probably due to the greater amount of sulphur compounds in flowers (21.7%) mainly disulphide, bis(2-sulphhydryl ethyl (12.8%), and in fruits (9.1%), mostly 2,3,5-trithiahexane (5.0%). Thus, G. integrifolia is an alternative to be exploited for the control cattle tick.