Avaliação da atividade do óleo da semente de andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.) contra ectoparasitos de felinos domésticos

Abstract

he biological activity of oil extracted from andiroba seeds against Felicola subrostratus and Lynxacarus radovskyi was evaluated in vitro and the effect of the oil on domestic cats naturally infected with Felicola subrostratus, Lynxacarus radovskyi and Otodectes cynotis was evaluated in vivo. The in vitro tests were performed with immersion. In the experiment with Felicola subrostratus four concentrations of the andiroba seed oil were tested: 10%, 25%, 50% and 100%. In the experiment with Lynxacarus radovskyi, six concentrations were tested: 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 50% and 100%. Following the immersion test, the insects were kept in the laboratory at room temperature and examined for the occurrence of mortality for 72 hours. The in vivo tests were performed with the topical administration of a 100-ml andiroba oil solution applied with cotton swabs to the entire body of each animal for the treatment of infestation by Felicola subrostratus and Lynxacarus radovskyi. For the pediculosis, the tests were divided into two steps: 1) concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10% were tested in a single application; and 2) concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, 10% and 20% were used once a week for three weeks. For acariosis, a single application was tested at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, 10% and 20%. For otodectic mange, concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, 10% and 20% were administered in the ear canal of each cat 5 drops (0.025 ml), for five consecutive days. The animals were kept in individual metal cages and periodically assessed for the determination of efficacy. The biological activity of the product achieved 100% mortality at all concentrations in the in vitro tests with Felicola subrostratus and Lynxacarus radovskyi. The high percentage of reduction in infestation by ectoparasites in all groups tested with andiroba seed oil in the in vivo experiments demonstrates the promising use of this phytotherapy, which proved effective against lice and mites and had a considerable residual effect, especially at concentrations of 20% and 30%.