In vitro activity of artemether against Demodex folliculorum / 中华皮肤科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the in vitro antimite activity of artemether against Demodex folliculorum, and to provide evidence for the use of artemether in the treatment of skin diseases caused by Demodex folliculorum infection. Methods Artemether was diluted to different concentrations(20, 10, 5 and 2.5 g/L)with peanut oil. The pH values of working solutions of artemether and peanut oil were measured. Demodex folliculorum mites were divided into several groups(32 mites in each group)to be treated with artemether(20, 10, 5 and 2.5 g/L, artemether groups) or peanut oil(control group). Results There were significant differences in the time required for killing of Demodex folliculorum among the 20?, 10?, 5?and 2.5?g/L artemether groups and control group(Median[P25-P75]3.00[2.00-3.88]vs. 6.00[4.13- 7.25]vs. 13.00[11.63- 14.50]vs. 17.00[15.25- 20.75]vs. 34.00[23.50- 39.50]hours, H=133.954, P 0.05). Moreover, the pH values of working solutions of artemether and peanut oil ranged between 7.0 and 7.1, and were close to neutral. Conclusion Artemether at 20, 10, 5 and 2.5 g/L can kill Demodex folliculorum in vitro, so artemether may serve as an alternative drug for the treatment of Demodex folliculorum infection.