Synthesis Of Pediculocidal And Larvicidal Silver Nanoparticles By Leaf Extract From Heartleaf Moonseed Plant, Tinospora Cordifolia Miers
In this clinical study, published in 2011 in the journal Parasitology Research, researchers synthesized silver nanoparticles using an extract from the heartleaf moonseed plant. They then tested the nanosilver against head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) as well as against larvae of mosquitoes known to be carriers of malaria parasites.
The researchers found 33% mortality at five minutes, 67% mortality at 15 minutes, and 100% mortality after one hour. The researchers concluded: “The findings revealed that synthesized AgNPs possess excellent anti-lice and mosquito larvicidal activity. These results suggest that the green synthesis of AgNPs have the potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of head lice and vectors.”
