[Evaluation of repellent and anti-feeding effect of garlic oil (Allium sativum) against the bite of phlebotomine sandflies Diptera: Psychodidae]

Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2005;41(2):253-6.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

The repellent and anti-feeding effect of garlic oil was evaluated in laboratory conditions against the bite of Phlebotomus papatasi females. The effectiveness was evaluated by two different laboratory procedures: (i) topical application of garlic oil on five human volunteers, using the "standard cage test", and (ii) feeding sandflies on artificial membranes treated with the compound. Garlic oil showed a significant protection by topical application on the skin of volunteers, being the protection 97% and 40%, respectively at 1% and 0.005% dilution. Garlic oil showed also an anti-feeding effect when tested on the artificial membrane feeding apparatus; the anti-feeding effect was dose dependent, being 100% at 1%. The results of the present study confirm previous observations on the repellent effect of garlic oil against haematophagous arthropods.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Allyl Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Chickens
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Feeding Behavior / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Garlic / chemistry*
  • Hand
  • Humans
  • Insect Bites and Stings / prevention & control*
  • Insect Repellents / administration & dosage
  • Insect Repellents / pharmacology*
  • Insect Vectors / drug effects*
  • Leishmaniasis / prevention & control
  • Leishmaniasis / transmission
  • Phlebotomus / drug effects*
  • Rabbits
  • Sulfides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Allyl Compounds
  • Insect Repellents
  • Sulfides
  • allyl sulfide