Affiliations: Department of Community Health, School of Medicine,
Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil | School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and
Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
Note: [] Correspondence: Jörg Heukelbach, Departamento de Saúde
Comunitária, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Rua
Prof. Costa Mendes 1608, 5. andar, Fortaleza CE 60430-140, Brazil. Tel.: +55 85
33668045; Fax: +55 85 33668050; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The therapy of pediculosis remains a common problem in pediatric
clinical practice. As resistance to commonly used chemical pediculicides, such
as permethrin, is constantly increasing, there is a need for the development of
new compounds that are effective in causing mortality in adult lice and their
eggs. Natural products have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of
years and recently have been of increasing interest, since the costs are
usually lower and they are considered less toxic by the public. Here we present
a review on plant compounds used for the treatment of head lice. An overview is
given on published evidence on the use of natural product pediculicides and
ovicides in clinical trials and in vitro studies. We conclude that several
plant products offer promise for new compounds to treat head lice infestation.
However, the number of clinical studies is very limited, and there is an urgent
need to increase research assessing the effectiveness and safety of promising
compounds. Over the counter natural products should be supported by in vitro
data and by adequately designed comparative trials that evaluate cure rates and
safety.
Keywords: Head lice, pediculosis, natural product, essential oil, efficacy, therapy
