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

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.