In-vitro Screening of Anti-Lice Activity of Nardostachys Jatamansi Roots

In the present study, various extracts of Nardostachys jatamansi roots were tested against the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis. Chloroform, petroleum ether, methanol, and water extracts of N. jatamansi roots were used for determining Potential pediculocidal and ovicidal activity using filter paper diffusion method. It was observed that methanol extracts exhibited excellent anti-lice activity with values ranging between 50.3% and 100% where as peteroleum ether, chloroform and water extracts showed moderate pediculocidal effects. All the results were well comparable with benzoyl benzoate (25% w/v) was used as positive control to compare the activity. Anti-lice activity of N. jatamansi extracts proved a potential prospect of introducing it in anti-lice formulations.