Background: This study evaluates a herbal shampoo containing Gharaghorot, vinegar, and Ajwain for managing head lice, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Methods: The herbal shampoo formulation constituted 100% final solution, composed of: 28.85% Gharaghorot extract (prepared from sour yogurt juice), 67.31% apple cider vinegar, 2.88% Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) essential oil, and 0.96% xanthan gum (a biocompatible thickening agent). Cell toxicity and sterility were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and fluid thioglycollate and soybean casein digest media, respectively. Irritation and sensitization tests were conducted on rabbits and guinea pigs, respectively. A ran­domized controlled trial with 114 patients compared the herbal shampoo to standard Permethrin treatment (Permethrin shampoo 1%). Participants applied the shampoo daily for one hour over seven days, with efficacy evaluated by counting live lice and nits before treatment, three days in, and seven days post-treatment.

Results: The herbal shampoo exhibited no significant cytotoxicity at concentrations of 10% or lower. The shampoo did not cause sensitization, edema, or erythema. Microbial contamination analysis showed no detectable levels of aerobic or anaerobic bacteria or fungal spores. In the human study, the intervention group showed a 0% prevalence of live lice by the seventh day, compared to 50% in the permethrin group (P= 0.021), and a significant reduction in lice eggs to 42% versus 100% in the permethrin group (P= 0.025).

Conclusion: The herbal shampoo demonstrated safety, microbiological purity, and notable efficacy in reducing live head lice and partial effectiveness against nits (42% egg viability post-treatment).

Introduction: Mosquitoes transmit several diseases to humans. New and environmentally safe methods are needed to control mosquito populations effectively. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal and repellent properties of extracts and silver nanoparticles synthesized from Zataria multiflora (Shirazi thyme).

Methods: To determine the larvicidal and repellent properties of Z. multiflora, we tested different concentrations of synthesized silver nanoparticles and crude extract against this malaria vector.

Results: The crude extract exhibited weak larvicidal activity, with an LC₅₀ of 616.52 μg/mL and an LC₉₀ of 1109.74 μg/mL. However, the synthesized silver nanoparticles are highly active on the larvae of Anopheles stephensi, with an LC₅₀ at 51.07 μg/mL and an LC₉₀ at 119.04 μg/mL. Both the crude extract (ED₅₀: 0.00031 μg/cm²; ED₉₀: 0.0018 μg/ cm²) and silver nanoparticles (ED₅₀: 0.000072 μg/cm²; ED₉₀: 0.00048 μg/cm²) demonstrated significant repellent activ­ity. Particle size analysis revealed a range of 24.56 to 63.76 nanometers, with an average size of 52.7 nanometers.

Conclusion: This study showed that Z. multiflora silver nanoparticles have significant larvicidal properties, so they are suggested as a nature-friendly larvicide.

-