comparative efficacy of fennel (foeniculum vulgare) and ajwain (trachyspermum ammi) essential oils on the mortality of linguatula serrata nymphs

Linguatula serrata is a significant parasite affecting livestock and humans. the use of essential oils as alternative methods for controlling parasites has gained attention (1,2). this study aimed to investigate the impact of fennel (foeniculum vulgare) and ajwain (trachyspermum ammi) essential oils on the mortality of l. serrata nymphs. nymphs of l. serrata were isolated from the mesenteric lymph nodes of goats and washed in a phosphate buffered solution (3). they were then treated with different concentrations (10, 1, 0.10, and 0.01 µg/ml) of fennel and ajwain essential oils at various time intervals (1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr). mortality of the nymphs was assessed based on their mobility. the results showed that all nymphs died within 24 hr at concentrations of 10, 1, and 0.10 µg/ml of ajwain essential oil. in contrast, only 40% of the nymphs died at the same concentrations of fennel essential oil within 24 hr. however, after 48 hr, all nymphs in both essential oils were completely dead. it isconcluded that ajwain essential oil exhibited a more potent effect on the reduction of nymph viability compared to the fennel essential oil. ajwain essential oil was effective in killing all nymphs at lower concentrations and shorter exposure times. these findings suggest that essential oils can be used as natural and safe methods for controlling l. serrata parasites in livestock and potentially in humans. further research is recommended to elucidate the precise mechanisms of these essential oils effects and to explore their effects under various conditions.