s Essential Oil Composition and Anti-scabies Potential of Amomum subulatum Roxb. Leaves

Background: Scabies is an enervating parasitic infestation of skin caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, affecting besides 130 million people at any time. Globally, this neglected tropical disease is amenable for 0.07% of the total burden of disease. Amomum subulatum Rox. (Large Cardamom) plant parts are used in traditional medicine for curing dyspepsia, skin disease, anorexia, dysentery, hyperacidity, ulcers, wounds, cardiac debility, fever, cough, liver congestion and gonorrhoea. Objective: The objective of this study was the phytochemical characterization of essential oil of A. subulatum leaves and evaluate its anti-scabies potential against S. scabiei. Methods: Essential oil was collected by hydrodistillation of fresh leaves of A. subulatum using Clevenger apparatus and subjected to Gas Chromatography (GC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for identification and quantification of components of oil. Anti-scabies potential of essential oil of leaves of A. subulatum against S. scabiei was investigated by contact bioassay method. Results: GC and GC-MS analysis results revealed the presence of 39 constituents, of which terpinen-4- ol (29.87%), eucalyptol (18.69%), β-phallendrene (7.97%), γ-terpinene (6.67%), p-cymene (6.20%), were detected as major constituents. Oxygenated monoterpenes predominated in the A. subulatum essential oil, and constituted 59.03% of the total oil composition. The anti-scabies study demonstrated their scabicidal potential as its 10% concentration caused 100% mortality within 60 min. Conclusion: The result indicated anti-scabies potential of essential oil of A. subulatum so can be used as an alternative for the treatment and effective control of S. scabiei.