In the previous report it was demonstrated that aqueous extracts of two Korean indigenous crude drugs, Radix Jingyu and Fructus ponciri, have an excellent tick repellent effect, and also the need for further analytical study of these crude drugs was suggested.
In the experiments to be reported herein, attempts were made to find out the active ingredients from Radix Jingyu, since the aqueons extract of Radix Jingyu proved to be mone effective than that of Fructus ponciri.
It will be shown that the active ingredient is indicative of Lycaconitine, a known alkaloid. An aqueons solution containing 1.5 Gms of Lycaconitine in tartrate when sprayed on a cow exerted tick repellent effect against Boophilus microplus which lasted approximately 25 days without any harmful influences on cattle.
It will also be shown that the oil-fat components of Radix Jingyu act synergistically with Lycaconitine in accelerating and lengthening the effect, although the components alone have no effect under the conditions tested.
It was of interest to note that the oil-fat components of Radix Jingyu showed definite repellent effect against the larvae of Boophilus microplus in laboratory experiments by the method newly devised.
On the basis of these observations, it was concluded that Lycaconitine can be used as cattle tick repellent, and the evidence seems to warrant a large scale production of Lycaconitine for its widespread use. Further studies on the possible effect of the alkaloid on other genera or species of ticks and related vermins were also indicated.
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