In vitro demodicidal activity of essential oils from Alpinia officinarum, Zingiber officinale and Eruca sativa

Abstract

Demodex spp are ectoparasite mites that reside in the hair follicles and human sebaceous glands. The purpose was to evaluate the demodicidal activity of essential from Eruca sativa Mill seeds, Alpinia officinarum Hance rhizomes, and Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizomes using an in vitro dose-response assay. The A. officinarum (LC50 = 0.24%w/v) and E. sativa (LC50 = 0.39%w/v) oils were more effective in controlling the mite than Z. officinale oil (LC50 = 0.95%w/v) at 20 min of exposure. The demodicidal activity was associated with the majority volatile and semi-volatile compounds in oils; for example, isothiocyanates in E. sativa oil (80.2%) and terpenoids in Z. officinale (62.8%) and A. officinarum (77.5%) oils. Future studies will be aimed at determining the mechanisms of acaricidal action and safety in the treatment of cutaneous demodicosis.