Abstract:

Wang Guojiang, Gao Xiaoyan, Li Ting, Zhang Haiqing, Chen Xiangming, Hu Yang Department of Dermatology, Zhoupu Hospital of Pudong New Distrct, Shanghai 201318, China （Wang GJ, Gao XY）; Department of Dermatology, Nanxiang Hospital of Jiading District, Shanghai 201802, China （Li T, Zhang HQ, Chen XM, Hu Y） Corresponding author: Chen Xiangming, Email: LC_1212@sina.com 【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 < 0.001）. Additionally, the time required for killing of Demodex folliculorum was significantly shorter in these artemether groups than in the control group （all P < 0.001）, and was gradually shortened with the increase of artemether concentrations, but was similar between the 10- and 20-g/L artemether groups （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.