Avaliação da combinação entre timol, carvacrol e (E)-cinamaldeido sobre larvas de Amblyomma sculptum (Acari: Ixodidae) e Dermacentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the paired combined effect of thymol, carvacrol and (E)-cinnamaldehyde on Amblyomma sculptum and Dermacentor nitens larvae, as well as to carry out the first calculation of the 50% lethal concentration (LC50) for the target species and propose adaptations to the qualitative categories defined by Chou (2006) for assessment of active compounds combinations. The effects of the treatments were evaluated by the modified larval packet test, to measure the mortality after 24 h. To determine the LC50, the substances were tested individually at concentrations of 0.62, 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, 5.0 and 7.5 mg/ml on A. sculptum larvae, except for the test with thymol (0.62, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0. 7.5 and 10.0 mg/ml). For D. nitens, the concentrations tested were 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg/ml for all substances. After determining the LC50, each substance was evaluated separately and in combination with another substance in a 1:1 proportion at the LC50 concentration and 1/2 and 1/4 of the LC50. The groups were kept in a climate-controlled chamber (27±1 °C and RH >80±10%). For A. sculptum, the lowest LC50 value was obtained for (E)-cinnamaldehyde (1.40), followed by thymol (2.04) and carvacrol (3.49 mg/ml). The same order of effectiveness was observed for D. nitens, with values of 1.68, 2.17 and 3.33 mg/ml, respectively. In the evaluation of the associations of substances against A. sculptum larvae, only the combinations between carvacrol and thymol (LC50) and carvacrol and (E)-cinnamaldehyde (1/4 LC50) presented synergetic effect. The other mixtures demonstrated additive or antagonistic effect. In turn, for D. nitens larvae the combinations between thymol and carvacrol (LC50 and 1/2 LC50) presented synergetic effect, while the others presented additive or antagonistic effect. Therefore, it can be concluded that combinations of thymol and carvacrol (LC50) have a moderate synergetic effect against A. sculptum larvae and thymol combined with carvacrol (LC50 and 1/2 LC50) has a synergetic effect against D. nitens larvae.