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Efficacy Test and Acceptability of
Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) Leaf
Extract Soap Against Mange in Dogs
Gregory B. Viste, Priscilo P. Fontanilla Jr., Vicky A. Agpasa,
Nida B. Tabije and Fe M. Camalig
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
Bacnotan La Union
Emailaddress:femcamalig@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Mange is a contagious skin disease of animals caused by several species of mites.
Once infection is established, animals may suffer from intense pruritus and
hypersensitivity which can lead to debilitation and possibly death. Gliricidia sepium
know as madre de cacao or kakawate in the Philippines is effective in treating external
parasites including mange infection in dogs and other animals. This study was
conducted to make herbal soap and render the medicinal plant more convenient to use,
storable and readily available to pet owners throughout the year, even in the urban
areas where kakawate tree is seldom seen.
The study aims to determine the: (a) species of mites which can be killed by
kakawate leaf extract soap (KLES); (b) efficacy of the soap; (c) most effective
concentration of the soap; (d) efficacy awareness of respondents about the soap, and;
(e) acceptability of the soap to the respondents against mange in dogs.
Thirty mangy dogs were used in the study and were distributed to five
treatments replicated three times with two dogs per treatment. The different treatment
uses 10% (T1), 15% (T2), 20% (T3), a negative control (TO-), and a positive control (TO+).
Data gathered were tabulated using means, frequencies and percentages and analyzed
using ANOVA and Tukey HSD methods
Mites infesting the animals were Sarcoptes and Demodex spp. Kakawate leaf
extract soap at 20%, 15% and 10% concentrations were effective against mites in dogs.
Twenty percent (20%) kakawate leaf extract soap reduced the number of mites up to
98.99% which was highly effective and comparable to the effect of the commercial antimange preparation.
For the efficacy awareness, 82.6 % of the non-soap user respondents claimed
that they are not aware that the kakawate leaf extract soap can treat mange of dogs.
These non-soap users were given with the KLES and after using it on their dogs, 92.85%
of them claimed that it is effective in treating mange. For the general acceptability, KLES
users claimed that it is 100% effective in treating mange.
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KLES is effective in reducing the number of mites. Twenty (20) % KLES is highly
effective (98.99 %) and comparable to commercial anti-mange drug (99.79%).
Respondents/users claimed that KLES is 86.72% acceptable.
KEYWORDS: Kakawate, Mange in Dogs
INTRODUCTION
More and more people globally are becoming aware of the medicinal and herbal
medicines as a proven health care system. The demand for such natural, holistic, ecoenvironment friendly and herbal based therapeutics are increasing day by day and it can
be believed that this industry, with full essence of environment, is growing fast.
Medicinal plants and herbs have been used by our Filipino forefathers for many
centuries. This knowledge was passed on from generation to generation. In the past few
years, a renewed interest on this natural method of treatment arose not only in the
Philippines but worldwide.
Gliricidia sepium, commonly known as madre cacao or kakawate in the
Philippines, is a leguminous tree that belongs to family Febaceae,. In the Philippines,
kakawate is washed and pounded to extract the juice from the leaves. It is then applied
to the area affected by the external parasites once or twice a day for one week. Finding
also shows that it is effective in treating mange infection in dogs and other animals [1].
Despite of the many claims of numerous authors of various researches on the
potentials of Gliricidia sepium in treating mange, seldom if not none were able to make
a product to treat mange in dogs, and at times preparation of the medicinal plant posses
a great inconvenience on the part of pet/animal owners. Hence, this study was
conducted to make a soap that is more convenient to use, storable and readily available
to the pet owners throughout the year, even in the urban areas where the kakawate
tree is seldom seen. Further, now that Kakawate soap has already been an output of this
study, acceptability of the product to end users has been conducted to finally prepare
the soap for patenting and commercialization.
OBJECTIVES
The study was conducted to determine the a) species of mites which can be
treated by kakawate leaf extract soap, b) efficacy of kakawate leaf extract soap (KLES)
against mange in dogs, c) most effective concentration of kakawate leaf extract soap to
treat mange in dogs, d) efficacy awareness of the respondents to kakawate leaf extract
soap as an alternative medicine in controlling mange in dogs and, e)general
acceptability of the respondents to kakawate leaf extract soap against mange in dogs..
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MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty (30) mixed breed dogs, regardless of age and sex, positive of mange were
used in the study. They were classified into light, moderate and severely infested. The
dogs were distributed into five treatments, replicated three times, with two animals per
replicate. The treatments used were as follows:T0- - Plain soap, T0+ - commercial antiKakawate leaf extract soap was made by incorporating the different
concentrations of kakawate extract corresponding to the treatments into the plain soap.
The thickened mixture was poured into a molder, covered with wax paper and was
allowed to stand undisturbed for a month of curing. Skin scrapings were performed
before and after (2, 4, 6, 8, weeks for mite counts) the application of the kakawate soap.
The soap was lathered throughout the body of the animal for ten minutes, giving
emphasis on the affected area. The lather was allowed to remain in the coat for five
minutes before it was rinsed. The animals were bathed once a week for six weeks.
A survey was conducted to determine the efficacy awareness and acceptability
of KLES. The questionnaire consists of two sets; Set A, (efficacy awareness) and Set B,
(general acceptability).
The study was conducted in 5 selected barangays in two
towns of La. Union namely, Bacnotan (Cabaroan, Casiaman, Salincob, Sapilang and San
Martin) and San Fernando City (Biday, Carlatan, Lingsat, Pagdaraoan and Tanqui). One
hundred thirty two (132) dog raisers were randomly selected for the survey in
questionnaire A (efficacy awareness of KLES) and from 132, 32 respondents after using
KLES answered questionnaire B (general acceptability of KLES). Species of mites
present, mean Pre-treatment Mite Count, Mean Post-treatment Mite Count, Mean Post
treatment mite count Difference, Percent Efficacy of kakawate soap, Efficacy Awareness
and Acceptability of the soap were determined. The efficacy of the kakawate leaf
extract soap was based on the standard criteria by Riek and Keith (1975), which were as
follows: a).81-100% reduction of the count is highly effective, b).60-80% reduction of
the count is effective, c) Less than 60% reduction of the count is ineffective.
One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-Test were used. To further test
significant differences of factors, the Tukey, HSD method were used. Descriptive survey
was used in the determination of acceptability of the soap.
RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS
Species of Mites Affected by Kakawate Leaf Extract Soap
The types of mite infesting the dogs shown in Table 1 were Sarcoptes spp. and
Demodex spp. Sixty three percent (63%) of the dogs were infested with Sarcoptes mites
and thirty seven percent (37%) with Demodex mites. Dogs infected with Sarcoptes
treated with KLES had a reduction in mean mite count from 30.61 to zero (0) indicating a
100% reduction. On the other hand dogs with Demodex treated with KLES reduced the
mite count from 28.24 to 3.17 indicating 88.77% reduction. This implies that mange
mites were sensitive to the effect of kakawate leaf extract soap as revealed by the
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decrease in the post-treatment mite count. Kakawate leaves contains potent chemicals,
which drives away insects and pests [2]. Ethylene, a toxic gas is responsible in the said
effect. Many other chemicals were also discovered and they all contributed to the
synergistic effect as a botanopesticide and also as antimange medicinal plant.
It could also be noted that after the treatment with kakawate leaf extract soap,
the only mite present was the Demodex spp. This finding was similar with the result of
the previous studies about kakawate leaves in different preparations against mange in
dogs [3], [4]. Demodex spp. was the common mite present during the post-treatment
mite count. This indicates that Demodex canis was more difficult to eliminate as
compared to Sarcoptes scabiei var canis. Canine demodectic mange, particularly the
generalized form, may be persistent and often responds poorly to treatment [5].
Demodecosis often requires a long-term therapy unlike the Sarcoptic mange [6]. This is
due to the characteristic of Demodex spp. wherein they live in the hair follicle and
deeper than where Sarcoptes spp. could be found
The t-test analysis revealed that the effects of kakawate leaf extract soap on
Sarcoptes spp and Demodex spp was not significant.
Table 1. Percentage reduction of mites affected by kakawate leaf extracts soap.
Mite
Post-treatment
mite count
0.00
Reduction (%)
Sarcoptes spp.
Pre-treatment
mite count
30.61
Demodex spp.
28.24
3.17
88.77
100.00
Efficacy of Kakawate Leaf Extract Soap Against Mange in Dogs
Table 2 shows the efficacy of kakawate leaf extract soap against mange mites of
dogs. Dogs treated with commercial anti-mange drug (To+) showed a decrease in the
number of mites from 44.11 to 0.11 registering the highest reduction and efficacy which
is 99.79 %, followed closely by 20% kakawate leaf extract soap (T3) which is 98.99 %.
Kakawate in any form of preparation was generally effective for the treatment of
mange in dogs [3], [4].
The efficacy of kakawate leaf extract soap might be due to its major
constituents, which were sulfur, tannin, glycosides and fats. Sulfur, which is abundant
and one of the active ingredients when applied to the skin, does not only destroy the
parasites, but also slightly checks the growth of bacteria. The drug softens the keratin,
thereby facilitating penetration to the stratum corneum into which the mites burrowed
[7]. Tannin on the other hand acts as an astringent. It precipitates protein either
externally or internally. Its action is on the surface cells to facilitate the formation of the
protective layer, under which healing can proceed [8], Fats are another major
constituent of kakawate, used as protective agent to prevent contact with irritating
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substance, act as lubricating agent, which aid in the removal of crusts, and prevent
excessive dryness [7].
For the added ingredients like sodium hydroxide and palm oil during soap
making, kakawate leaf extract soap became more efficient against mange mites of dogs
than the other previous studies about kakawate leaf extract. This is because kakawate
leaf extract soap does not only target the mites, but it also cleanses the lesion, exposing
the deeper portion of the skin where mange mites hide. During this process, some of
these mites could already be rinsed off. Because of this action of the soap, the major
constituents of kakawate could easily penetrate onto the stratum corneum, acting
directly to the elimination of the mites.
Table 2. Percentage efficacy of kakawate leaf extracts soap.
Treatment
T0- Plain soap
T0+ Commercial
anti-mange
T1 10% Kakawate
leaf extract soap
T2 15% Kakawate
leaf extract soap
T3 20% Kakawate
leaf extract soap
Efficacy
(%)
6.56
99.79
72.30
88.22
98.99
Effective Concentration of Kakawate Leaf Extract Soap
Result presented in the table 3 shows that all of the concentrations of kakawate
leaf extract soap were effective against mange mites of dogs. This was based on the
standard criteria of Riek and Keith (1975). Kakawate leaf extract soap in T2 (15%) and T3
(20%) were highly effective with an efficacy of 88.22% and 98.99% respectively.
Analysis of Variance and Tukey HSD showed insignificant difference between
commercial anti-mange and the soap prepared from 20% kakawate leaf extract (T3)
indicating that kakawate leaf extract soap at 20% concentration was as effective as the
commercial anti-mange against Sarcoptic and Demodectic mange.
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Table 3. Most effective concentration of kakawate leaf extract.
Treatment
T0- Plain soap
To+
Commercial
anti-mange
T3 20%
Kakawate leaf
extract soap
T2 15%
Kakawate leaf
extract soap
T1 10%
Kakawate leaf
extract soap
Percent
Efficacy
6.56 a
99.79 b
Interpretation
98.99 b
Highly
effective
88.22 c
Highly
effective
72.30 c
Effective
Ineffective
Highly
effective
Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% level, Tukey HSD.
Efficacy Awareness to Kakawate Leaf Extract Soap (KLES)
On the awareness of respondents to the efficacy of the soap, results shown in
table 4 indicate that 82.6% of the respondents are unaware of Kakawate Leaf Extract
Soap as an effective means in treating mange in dogs, while very few of the
respondents, (17.4%) claimed that they are aware. This result reveals the absence of
publicity and media campaign of the products which makes the product not popular to
the community.
Table 4. Awareness to KLES as an effective means in treating mange in dogs.
Awareness
Aware
Not Aware
Total
f
23
109
132
Percentage
17.40
82.60
100
General Acceptability o f Kakawate Leaf Extract Soap
Thirty two (32) dogs owners out from the 109 unaware respondents on the
efficacy of KLES were given soap and used it on this dogs fallowing strictly the given
directions after 6-8 weeks of use, the dog owners were surveyed on the acceptability of
the soap.
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Table 5, shows the general acceptability of kakawate leaf extract soap to
respondents in treating mange in dogs. Majority of the respondents 86.72 percent
claimed that Kakawate Leaf Extract Soap is acceptable in treating mange of dogs and
only 13.28 percent of the respondents claimed otherwise. Respondents further
confirmed that Kakawate Leaf Extract Soap is effective in treating mange in dogs, leave a
pleasant scent, produce lather or soap suds, easy to rinse off, does not stick to the skin
of the handler, no irritation to the skin of the handler, melts slowly , water soluble,
affordable and attractive in color.
Table 5. General acceptability of KLES
f
Accept
able
(%)
f
3
2
100
0
Not
Accept
able
(%)
0
3
2
100
0
0
3
2
100
0
0
3
1
96.87
1
3.13
2
8
87.50
4
12.50
3
1
96.87
1
3.13
3
0
93.75
2
6.25
Parameters
Is KLES
effective in
treating
mange in
dog/s?
Does it
produce
lather or
soap suds?
Is it easy to
rinse and
does not
stick to the
skin of the
handler?
Does it leave
a pleasant
scent?
Does it leave
no irritation
to the skin of
the handler?
Does the
coat become
soft and
smooth?
Does it melts
slowly and
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water
soluble?
Is it
affordable?
Is the color
attractive?
Does KLES
have smooth
texture?
Does the
KLES have a
good shape?
Does the
packaging
have a good
appearance?
General
acceptability
2
8
2
4
2
9
87.50
4
12.50
75
8
25.00
90.62
3
9.38
1
8
56.25
1
4
43.75
1
8
56.25
1
4
43.75
86.72
13.28
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions were derived:
1. Kakawate leaf extract soap could reduce the number of Sarcoptic and
Demodectic mites.
2. Kakawate leaf extract soap at 20%, 15%, and 10% concentrations were
effective against mites in dogs;
3. Twenty percent (20%) kakawate leaf extract soap reduced mites up to 98.99%
which is highly effective and comparable to commercial anti-mange drug.
4. Very few (17.4 %) of the respondents claimed that they are aware regarding
the efficacy of KLES and 82.6 percent claimed that they are not aware
5. Majority of the respondents (86.72 %) claimed that KLES is acceptable and
further confirmed that it is effective in treating mange, while only 13.28 percent of the
respondents claimed otherwise.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were formulated:
1. Kakawate leaf extract soap is recommended for the treatment and control of
Sarcoptic and Demodectic mites of dogs;
2. Further study should be conducted against other external parasite using
kakawate leaf extract soap;
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3. Commercialization of the kakawate leaf extract soap against mange in dogs
can be initiated;
4. Massive information dissemination regarding the efficacy and use of KLES;
5. Modification/improvement regarding the
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