EP3998859A1

EP3998859A1 - Composition useful in the treatment of varroatosis

Info

Publication number: EP3998859A1
Application number: EP20740331.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Melis; Agostino PELOSO; Nicola Betti; Samanta BELLEI
Original assignee: Nurares Srl
Current assignee: Nurares Srl
Priority date: 2019-07-18
Filing date: 2020-07-17
Publication date: 2022-05-25
Also published as: IT201900012264A1; WO2021009379A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one plant of the Asteraceae family, at least one plant of the Lamiaceae family, at least one plant of the Anacardiaceae family, at least one plant of the Cistaceae family, in particular for use as a medicament, more particularly in the treatment of varroatosis, a medical surgical device comprising said composition and a diagnostic kit comprising said composition.

Description

COMPOSITION USEFUL IN THE TREATMENT OF VARROATOSIS

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one plant of the Asteraceae family, at least one plant of the Lamiaceae family, at least one plant of the Anacardiaceae family and at least one plant of the Cistaceae family, in particular for use as a medicament, more particularly in the treatment of varroatosis, a medical surgical device comprising said composition and a diagnostic kit comprising said composition.

Background

Varroa destructor is an external parasite mite native to South East Asia, which attaches itself to the body of the bees Apis Mellifera and Apis Cerana sucking their hemolymph and weakening their immune defences, due to its action as a carrier of viral agents. During this process, it causes malformations, alterations of the behaviour and reduced life expectancy of the bees with consequent weakening and collapse of the families with a death rate even higher than 90%.

Varroatosis is the disease with the greatest impact on beekeeping, since the reproduction of the mite is continuous, being the brood of the bees available throughout the year and its life cycle closely connected to that of the bees themselves, and through a pungent sucking buccal apparatus it acts as an ectoparasite for the entire life both on the body of adult bees and in the brood of which it is its forced habitat.

Varroatosis is widespread across the earth except for Australia and some islands and territories, so the control of the hive infestation by this parasite, which is present in 95% of cases, is essential for their survival and productivity. The most critical period for bee health with respect to varroa is in late summer when the family is physiologically declining after reaching its maximum expansion in early summer, while the population continues to double in about 20 days.

The female fertile mite enters the pupa cell just before it is operculated (closed), preferring the female (worker) to the male one (drone) because the incubation lasts a few days more and upon the birth of the worker or of the drone it emerges quadrupled or more, with a greater exponential growth in the presence of brood and decline instead with little or no presence of the brood.

Although the mite has also been found on other pollinating insects (bumblebee etc.), the only habitat in which it can reproduce is in the bee colony. The biological cycle of the Varroa destructor is synchronized with that of the bee.

The life of the parasite is characterized by two very distinct phases: the phoretic phase, during which the adult female lives on adult bees, and the reproductive phase, during which the mite reproduces inside cells that have been operculated feeding on larvae and pupae.

In environments with a cold winter season, the female mite winters on the body of the worker bees, in the spring, when the activity of oviposition by the queen resumes, the mite also begins to reproduce. Shortly before the opercolation of the brood cells, when the larvae are 6-7 days if female or 7-10 days if male, the varroe enter the cells and feed on the developing bee's body.

After about 62 hours the egg laying begins, a female originates from the first egg which develops in 7-8 days, instead a male will be born from the second egg laid after 6-7 days.

Mating takes place inside the cells before hatching, then the mite leaves the cell exiting it while clinging to the body of the hatching bee. The varroa remains clinging to the bee's integument with its legs and feeds on its hemolymph before settling again in a brood cell where it will lay new eggs. The sucking of the hemolymph causes lacerations in which pathogens can penetrate causing clinical effects to the bee as well as its abnormal development such that sometimes the bee is already deformed when it is born. Varroe have up to 7 reproductive cycles so they die of old age.

The symptoms of varroa infestation are complex and varied and depend mainly on the action of the viral carrier and on the depression of immune defences of the colony which becomes subject to various infections of the brood and adult bees.

The main typical signs of varroa infestation occur mostly at the end of summer and can be summarised as follows:

- varroe visible on bees (usually on the back) and on honeycombs;

- deformed bees, with flight difficulties;

- reduction in the number of bees, replacement of the queen, abandonment of the hive and consequent collapse and death of the infested colonies;

- irregular brood, larvae out of place in the cell and liquefied, brown- coloured larvae.

Being it an endemic pathology, talking about contagion is somewhat rare. However, the infestation spreads from one apiary to another with drifts, looting, swarm and queens trading, swarm gathering, etc. Field operations can also contribute to spreading the pathology, even if beekeeping equipment is not a source of contagion as the varroe survive little in the absence of bees.

The disease is widespread in 100% of the hives (in Italy), the disease must not be diagnosed, but must be assessed with regards to the degree of infestation during the year.

To ensure that hives do not reach critical levels of varroa presence, they must be continuously monitored. Experts say "The maximum threshold for the number of varroa mites inside a "healthy” hive is 1000. If they are more, the hive is threatened by collapse”. A practical example for determining the degree of varroa infestation is as follows:

- if in the spring when opening the broods of about ten drones, three of them are affected by varroa, the level of infestation is worrying;

- multiplying the daily natural fall by 100, it is possible to understand how many varroe are present in the hive;

- if the visible bees are with deformed wings or with a small-sized abdomen and the brood is irregular, it means that the family begins to be in danger.

Health treatments due to the total spread of varroa are essential in order to let the hives survive. The prophylaxis of the pathology can take place through treatments with essential oils, treatments with organic acids and treatments with synthetic acaricides. The main problem of the fight with chemical (synthetic) means is the drug resistance and the residuality of the active ingredients used on bees. The medical devices and related active ingredients currently used are as follows:

- essential oils (thymol) -Apilifevar and Apiguard (commercially authorised)- composed of synthetic thymol. Essential oils can lead to the onset of mite strains which are resistant to treatment.

For these products it is not necessary to establish maximum residual limits, in fact they are active ingredients that with the correct doses have a very low biological risk for bees and no toxicological risk for the consumer, having the thyme oil and that of linden as its main component. Efficacy from 80% to 95%.

Apilifevar in particular contains thymol in crystals, eucalyptus oil, racemic camphor, menthol.

The undesirable effects of said product are due to the fact that in some cases bees can move the food placed under the board and with high temperatures a slight agitation of the same and a moderate increase in mortality in the broods is possible.

Apiguard contains in particular thymol.

The undesirable effects of said product are due to the fact that a higher dose might cause disturbances in the behaviour of the colony (agitation, escapes or increased mortality). In addition, operators should avoid contact with skin and eyes because Apiguard can cause contact dermatitis, therefore the necessary precautions (goggles, gloves) must be used and the product must not be inhaled.

- Organic acids (oxalic acid)

This one is among the most effective active ingredients in the fight against varroa, Apibioxal and Oxuvar act by acidifying the environment of the hive making it not suitable for the life of the mite, by penetrating the body of the bees it increases transiently in the internal organs exerting an acaricidal action by contact. The treatments do not increase the presence of oxalic acid in honey beyond the allowed limits.

Apibioxal presents as a side effect the fact that the colony may become slightly agitated during the treatment, possible overdoses may disturb the subsequent development of families with a decrease in the adult population of the hives. In addition, operators also must take special precautions.

Oxuvar contains oxalic acid but is not effective on the Varroa mite which is inside the operculated cells.

The application of high quantities of oxalic acid might lead to a higher mortality of the bees and the loss of the queen. The colony may become slightly agitated during the treatment.

The drip treatment might lead to a weakening of the brood in the spring and the drip and spray treatments might increase the mortality of the bees. In this case too, operators must take special precautions.

- Organic acids (Formic acid).

Formic acid is the only active ingredient capable of acting even under the operculum, causing mortality in varroe during the reproductive phase. Maqs, Varterminator, Api for 60, which are very interesting tools for integrated pest control as "buffer treatment", summer use is however "problematic" in many environments due to the "serious damage" to families if "the maximum temperatures of use are exceeded.

Said products are effective from 90% to 95%.

The undesirable effects related to the use of formic acid are related to the fact that after one day of application formic acid might disturb the activity of the colony and cause the death of the queen or a slight increase in the mortality of adult bees, the toxic effects may cause larvae to die if exposed to concentrated vapours. Following the cuticle necrosis process that extends throughout the bees' body, it seems that these treatments are a risk factor for the onset of fungal diseases for the colony. So, in addition to the variable share of orphans (death of the queen) or death of part of the fresh brood, the treatment may cause the reduction of the development of the colonies and possible total death of the same with temperatures higher than 37.5°C during application. The use of precautions by the operator is also important in this case.

- Combined Organic Acids (formic/oxalic acid)

Varromed, with 85% to 92% efficacy and the most common undesirable effect of increased mortality in adult bees. The use of precautions by the operator is mandatory. All the treatments listed above are allowed in organic beekeeping.

- Synthetic acaricides (synthetic chemicals)

Apistan, Apivar, Apitraz, Polyvar, slow release drugs and the fact that they are spread by contact, make them an easy-to-use fighting tool for the summer treatment. The spread of "resistances" however makes their use rather risky and in any case alternating their use with other active ingredients remains necessary. Furthermore, it is necessary to keep in mind "the significant" accumulation of residues in the wax. Even these products are very effective. Efficacy: 80-90% if done after 5 years.

Apistan contains tau-fluvalinate, which is a pyrethroid.

In any case, while many pyrethroids are highly toxic to bees, tau-fluvalinate is relatively tolerated because the bee is able to metabolize it, however the acaricide is far from harmless: the queens exposed to high doses are smaller and live less, as well as the drones, which become less fertile with consequent reduction of the survival of the brood. The response to olfactory stimuli, locomotor activity, learning and memory ability is also reduced. It can be the cause of the increased circulation of the "deformed wings" virus.

Also in this case there are precautions to be taken by operators during handling.

Apivare and Apitraz contain Amitraz as an active ingredient. Said products contain a pesticide belonging to the formamidine group, the distribution of which in the hive occurs by contact, since bees fly over the strips, the external cuticle is impregnated with the local pesticide treatment.

Amitraz degrades in honey but its metabolites remain as a residue which have demonstrated mutagenic (DNA), carcinogenic and teratogenic (foetal mutations) properties. Degradation is very rapid in wax but some minimal residue remains. Treatment in the spring too close to the crops may also cause excessive contamination of honey in the supers.

Amitraz has the potential to be able to influence the behaviour of bees: it anticipates the foraging activity, it can alter the communication with the dances of food sources, can cause acute toxicity with damage to the intestinal wall of the larvae, alteration of cardiac function, it also damages the antibacterial and antifungal defences of the cuticle.

Polyvar contains Flumethrin. Acaricides are NOT allowed in organic beekeeping.

A new acaricidal product from an entirely new active molecule of Lithium Chloride or more likely Lithium Citrate has been recently tested. The characteristics of efficacy and any adversity to bees are not yet known.

In recent years, various "biological" methods for the treatment of mites have also been researched and developed. The latest invention of an Austrian engineering consultancy company focuses on the weakening of the infestations through a device whose efficacy is based on a fundamental element: during the phases of metamorphosis from larvae to mature bees, they are able to withstand very high temperatures, while the parasites fail to do so. The frames that contain brood honeycombs are inserted into a device, the Varroa Controller. Here the brood honeycombs are exposed to temperatures of 40-47 °C for 2 hrs, which operation does not harm the larvae in the least but causes the mites to die within a few hours.

This thermal method presents some drawbacks. First of all it works with electricity and since in the countryside, where hives are located, there is no electricity, the operator should provide for an electric group. Furthermore, the whole treatment is quite long since each container has a limited capacity. Thus it requires two or more days to subject the whole hive of a medium size to the treatment. Furthermore, it may be applied only on larvae and not on adult bees and therefore it results effective only during the reproductive phase of the parasite, and not during the phoretic phase of the same.

There are other techniques for the elimination of the Varroa mite in addition to medical devices, such as beekeeping techniques, which are often used to support health devices or vice versa.

The most common beekeeping technique is based on the fact that Varroa mites multiply inside the operculated brood cells and show a strong preference for drone brood over worker bee brood, consequently the two most used methods of biomechanical treatment are the removal of the drone brood and the brood block.

The removal of the brood is the beekeeping technique that is adopted when during the productive period the colonies show symptoms of a high Varroa infestation. Please note that this "emergency intervention" can be carried out up to a maximum of three times per year. Since the Varroa mite parasites the drone brood approximately 12 times more frequently than the worker bee brood, this method can reduce Varroa infestation by up to 80% in the spring, but normally does not replace a subsequent long-lasting acaricidal treatment.

Flowever, the repeated removal of drones is an intervention that can have an impact on the dynamics of bee colonies. In fact, even if the drones are the beekeepers, of little practical use, they are the carriers of the genetic material of the next generation of young queens and workers and have the important function of preserving genetic diversity.

Since the first entry of varroa into Italy, the honeycomb trap with drone cells has been very successful, then was optimised (by Campero TIT3), due to the excellent result it has in lowering, right at the beginning of their ascending phase of development, the number of varroe. The shortcoming of this method of the honeycomb trap lies in the fact that the male brood is not always at the stage in which it is receptive towards the varroa. Unfortunately, this moment lasts only a few hours and, when the varroe are no longer attracted to the male brood, they take refuge en masse in the female one.

Brood blocking is a valid technique to combat varroa, especially if applied to hives that have a high infestation already during the course of the productive season. It is carried out together with the use of acaricides.

There are other techniques such as the production of artificial swarms/nuclei.

Another technique is that of dividing the hive into two parts, which also allows to obtain a new colony of bees.

Then there is the practice of selecting colonies with greater resistance to varroa.

A further possibility of pest control could come from the selection of tolerant colonies, that is families capable of surviving despite the infestation.

Said practice takes a long time and is promising only in the long term (decades), since the desired properties can always be lost due to natural mating, in any case it is a very eco-sustainable possibility.

All the above mentioned beekeeper’s techniques have a poor effectiveness (65-80%) and may cause a genetic weakening of the families.

There are several patent documents describing Varroa mite control methods.

For example, the international patent application WO2012/15342 which describes the use of cyromazine for the treatment of varroatosis.

Cyromazine is an insecticide therefore, if it comes into contact with honey or wax, it can contaminate them in a relevant way, with the consequent unusability of the precious products (honey and wax).

International patent application WO2012/170420 instead describes the use of a strip containing 15% beta acids, a solvent and an emulsifier to control the Varroa infestation.

In any case, said strip is not very effective as it does not allow a real control over the infestation and has very limited efficacy over time.

Therefore, the need is felt for a product which overcomes the disadvantages of the compositions or of the aids or devices of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a composition for treating varroatosis which does not cause the onset of mite strains resistant to treatment, nor disturbances in the behaviour of the colony (agitation, escapes or increased mortality), which is not toxic for bees nor for operators, which is not mutagenic carcinogenic or teratogenic, which does not leave residues, giving rise to contamination of honey.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition for use as a medicament for varroatosis which may be used both on larvae and on adult bees; which is effective on both the mites in phoretic phase and the ones in reproductive phase and which is, at the same time, very effective in a short time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a process for obtaining a composition for the treatment of varroatosis which is free from the above mentioned drawbacks.

Summary of the present invention

These objects are achieved by means of a composition as claimed in claim 1 and by a process as claimed in claim 10.

Therefore, one of the subjects of the present invention is a composition comprising at least one plant of the Asteraceae family, at least one plant of the Lamiaceae family, at least one plant of the Anacardiaceae family and at least one plant of the Cistaceae family, wherein said composition comprises: 5-15% by weight of Inula viscosa, 10-20% by weight of Artemisia, 5-15% by weight of Mint, 2-15% by weight of Lentisk and 5-15% by weight of Cistus.

A further subject of the present invention is a composition as previously defined for use as a medicament, in particular in the treatment of varroatosis. In other words, the composition can be used as a medicament for the treatment of varroatosis.

This specific combination of each and every plant in the above specific quantities achieves a composition which is not only harmless for bees and for humans but which is also very effective in a short time on mites in both phoretic and reproductive phases in both opened and operculated cells. Moreover the specific combination of the invention do not give rise to drug resistance, behaviour disturbance or residue problems.

Furthermore, the above mentioned composition is stable, i.e. it has a high effectiveness which last during time.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, it may further comprise an excipient such as a preservative, a flavouring agent, an oil.

Preferably, the composition comprises also oil as a solvent for the extraction of phytocomplex from the plants. It may be selected among sunflower oil, linseed oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, peanut oil, Lentisk oil, mixed seed oil. These oils results to be harmless for bees and for humans and allows to obtain good properties of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition may comprise:

- Inula viscosa 8.2%

- Artemisia 1 1 .3%

- Mint 5.1 %

- Lentisk 4.7%

- Cistus 8.3%

- and sunflower oil 62.4%.

This composition achieves a very high effectiveness in treating the varroatosis.

According to another aspect of the invention, the composition may be in fluid form, in particular a liquid such as a solution, a dispersion or a suspension or an ointment, a pomade, a paste, a gel.

Advantageously, the composition is obtained by means of an anaerobic digestion of the plants through solar radiation, achieving a still higher effectiveness. In the present context the term“digestion” means a maturation or maceration process through with phytocomplex is extracted from the plants.

A medical surgical device comprising the composition as previously defined and a diagnostic kit comprising the composition as previously defined are also subjects of the present invention.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a process for obtaining a composition for the treatment of varroatosis comprising the following steps: a. inserting 5-15% by weight of Inula viscosa, 10-20% by weight of Artemisia, 5-15% by weight of Mint, 2-15% by weight of Lentisk, 5-15% by weight of Cistus and 20-73% by weight of sunflower oil in a transparent hermetic container; b. exposing the container to solar radiation for 25-30 days while agitating it 2- 5 times a day, in anaerobic conditions; c. filtering the composition.

Such a method allows to maximize the effectiveness of the composition up to

98%.

Detailed description of the invention

According to the present invention, with at least one plant of the Asteraceae family, it is intended a plant such as Inula Viscosa, a plant of the genus Artemisia such as Artemisia absinthium, Artemia glacialis or another plant of the genus Artemisia, Matricaria chamomilla, Calendula officinalis or Arnica Montana.

The composition of the present invention comprises two plants of the Asteraceae family. In particular, it contains both Inula viscosa and a plant of the Artemisia genus.

The composition of the present invention also contains at least one plant of the Lamiaceae family, in particular a plant of the Mint genus such as peppermint or pennyroyal.

The composition of the present invention also contains at least one plant of the Anacardiaceae family, in particular the Lentisk. The composition of the present invention also contains at least one plant of the Cistaceae family, in particular the Cistus salvifolius.

In a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, the composition comprises Inula viscosa, Artemisia, Mint, Lentisk, Cistus.

Each single plant has specific properties which combined with the properties of other plants obtain a synergic effect in eliminating the parasite and rendering the effectiveness of the composition stable during time.

Specifically, the composition comprises 5-15% by weight of Inula viscosa, 10- 20% by weight of Artemisia, 5-15% by weight of Mint, 2-15% by weight of Lentisk, 5-15% by weight of Cistus. As a matter of fact, the Applicant verified that with such a combination it is possible to achieve a composition with high effectiveness and high stability.

Moreover the composition does need to be applied for a long time, i.e. when there is no brood a single application is sufficient to achieve a high effectiveness. In presence of brood three application (seven days apart) are enough to achieve a high effectiveness.

All the percentages reported in the present description and in the claims are expressed as percentages by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

With "plant" used in accordance with the present invention it is intended to use the part of the plant that contains a greater content in the active ingredient, i.e. the so-called "drug" (i.e. part of the plant with a greater content in the active ingredient).

Each plant has a different drug which may be its bark, stem, roots, seeds, flowers or leaves as it is well known for a skilled in the art. As a matter of facts, this last knows which the drug for each plant is.

In the case of Inula viscosa, Artemisia, Mint, Lentisk and Cistus, the drug comprises flowers and leaves.

All the plants used in accordance with the present invention are part of the Mediterranean scrub and are preferably collected in Sardinia, as the phytocomplex of the plants collected in Sardinia have the best qualities and best efficacy. Alternatively, plants collected in the area of the province of Varese in Lombardy can be used.

In any case, plants that have a similar phytocomplex may be used, even if collected in other European or non-European Countries.

The composition of the present invention may further comprise one or more excipients selected among preservatives, flavouring agents, oils. These excipients are added to the final composition to confer relevant properties.

The composition of the present invention comprises also oil as a solvent. In particular said oil is selected from the group comprising sunflower oil, linseed oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, peanut oil, Lentisk oil, mixed seed oil.

The oil is used for the extraction of the phytocomplex of the plants during the digestion phase. Therefore it is a starting ingredient of the composition. The above mentioned oils do not give rise to toxicity or residuality problems.

Alternatively, different solvents may be used.

Preferably the composition of the present invention comprises sunflower oil, in particular in a percentage comprised between 20 and 73%, more preferably 60 and 70% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition of the invention comprises:

Inula viscosa 8.2%

Artemisia 1 1.3%

Mint 5.1 % Lentisk 4.7%

Cistus 8.3%

and sunflower oil 62.4%.

Preferably Artemisia is Artemisia Absinthium; Mint is peppermint, more preferably Suaveolens Insularis; Lentisk is Pistacia Lentiscus and Cistus is Cistus lcanus L.

The Applicant has found that the composition obtained using these very specific plants is more effective and long-lasting over time, i.e. the effectiveness thereof is not decreasing during time.

More preferably, plants derives from organic cultivations, in order to be pesticides-free.

The composition is preferably obtained by means of an anaerobic digestion, as will better explained later.

The composition of the present invention is preferably in fluid form, in particular a liquid, an ointment, a pomade, a paste or a gel.

More preferably the composition is a liquid composition such as a solution, a dispersion or a suspension.

It can therefore be nebulised as a spray or applied directly with appropriate spoons, spatulas or other suitable means to the hives.

The composition of the present invention, especially in liquid form, is particularly suitable for the treatment of varroatosis and may be applied according to the following protocol.

As to the application of this product we can say that any system capable of nebulising can be used; the important thing is that the distribution method is homogeneous, both on the frames and on the bees themselves. Therefore, a special nebulizer must be made to be used only for this type of treatment and type of product, so that it cannot be contaminated and thus its efficacy reduced.

It can be performed at any time of the year as long as the ambient temperature is not below 8°C. This nebulization or "sprayed" method must be carried out at a distance comprised between 30 and 40 cm from the bees and the hive frames. The optimal doses of the composition of the present invention, which in experimentation have shown the best efficacy for each "hive and family", are a function of the extent of the mite infestation, and are indicatively as follows: A) low infestation 40/50 ml x litre of H20;

B) medium infestation 50/70 ml x litre of H20;

C) high infestation 70/90 ml x litre of H20.

If the extent of varroa infestation is not known, it can be started with a medium dose, i.e. 60 ml of the composition of the present invention in a litre of water with the warning to shake the mix well before 100 gr per "hive/family" are vaporized. The treatment of the acaricide, in the absence of brood, must be carried out only once, in the presence of brood 3 times, 7 days apart. In any case after this and other anti- varroa treatments it is always necessary to check the anti -varroa bottom 4/5 days after the treatment. In this way, it is possible to have a direct feedback on the efficacy of the treatment and see how many mites have fallen and have settled on the bottom. Some beekeepers even recommend applying a layer of Vaseline on the plate. In this way the ants would be prevented from taking away the fallen Varroa, thus invalidating the visual inspection.

The nebulised administration method is also the one that gives the best results, but we do not exclude that in different climatic conditions and habitats, there are other equally effective and safe methods of administration, such as, for example, dripped, evaporated, in cardboard strips soaked in the slow release product or other.

The composition of the present invention allows to eradicate the Varroa Mite in a very short time, keeping the characteristics of the honey bees and their products (wax, honey and other) unchanged and without adding any pollutant or contaminant, therefore it is to be considered completely innovative compared to compositions, devices or medical devices against the Varroa Mite of the prior art.

A composition for medical use, in particular for use in the treatment of varroatosis, is therefore the object of the present invention.

A medical surgical device containing the composition of the present invention and a diagnostic kit comprising the composition of the present invention is also the object of the present invention.

The preparation of the composition according to the present invention may be carried out by methods known to the person skilled in the art, typically by digestion, also called maturation or maceration.

However, the Applicant has found that using the following process, the effectiveness of the composition may still increase.

Plants are collected, then, according to a step a), they are inserted (fresh or dried) in a transparent hermetic container, suitable for an anaerobic digestion, in the following quantities:

5-15% wt of Inula viscosa,

10-20% wt of Artemisia,

5-15% wt of Mint,

2-15% wt of Lentisk,

5-15% wt of Cistus and

20-73% wt of sunflower oil.

Subsequently, during step b) the container is exposed to solar radiation for 25- 30 days, preferably 28. During this time the content is agitated for 10 minutes 2-5 times a day, preferably 3. The container is also rotated in order to allow a homogeneous digestion. The temperature of the container is under control in order to keep it at a temperature not lower than 25^QC. In these conditions the anaerobic digestion takes place by means of sun exposure.

By means of solar digestion the phytocomplex of the plants are extracted forming an oleolite.

According to a step c), the oleolite is filtered in order to separate the solid portion. The liquid portion forming the composition of the present invention is then bottled and is ready to be used as such or diluted with water.

The duration of the digestion and other specific parameters, as the agitation time, etc. depends on the specific plants used and on their reciprocal ratio, as known for the skilled in the art.

Here are provided some compositions by way of non limiting examples. Example 1

Flowers and leaves of Inula viscosa, Artemisia, Mint, Lentisk and Cistus were collected and washed. Since all plants derived from organic cultivation, it can be said that they were free of pesticides.

They were immersed in sunflower oil and inserted in a transparent hermetic container in the following quantities:

1 Kg Inula viscosa,

1 ,5 Kg Artemisia,

0,5 Kg Mint,

0,5 Kg Lentisk,

0,8 Kg Cistus

5,7 Kg sunflower oil.

That is to say: 10% Inula viscosa, 15% Artemisia, 5% Mint, 5% Lentisk, 8% Cistus and 57% sunflower oil.

The container was exposed to sun radiation and the content agitated two or three times per day. Anaerobic digestion took place.

After 28 days the plants were removed from the oily medium (oleolite) and the thus obtained preparation applied to the hives and apiary.

The composition showed an effectiveness of 96% at the first application.

After 12 months, the effectiveness was found to be constant.

EXAMPLE 2

Flowers and leaves of Inula viscosa, Artemisia, Mint, Lentisk and Cistus from organic cultivations were collected and washed.

0,82 Kg Inula viscosa, 1 ,13 Kg Artemisia,

0,51 Kg Mint,

0,47 Kg Lentisk,

0,83 Kg Cistus

6,24 Kg sunflower oil.

That is to say: 8,2% Inula viscosa, 1 1 ,3% Artemisia, 5,1 % Mint, 4,7% Lentisk, 8,3% Cistus and 62,4% sunflower oil.

After 28 days the plants were removed from the oily medium and the thus obtained preparation applied to the hives and apiary.

The composition showed an effectiveness of 98% at the first application.

After 12 months, the effectiveness was found to be constant.

EXAMPLE 3 (COMPARATIVE)

3 Kg Inula viscosa,

3 Kg Artemisia,

0,4 Kg Mint,

0,4 Kg Lentisk,

0,2 Kg Cistus

3 Kg sunflower oil.

That is to say: 30% Inula viscosa, 30% Artemisia, 4% Mint, 4% Lentisk, 2% Cistus and 30% sunflower oil.

The composition showed an effectiveness of 88% at the first application.

After 12 months, the effectiveness was found to be constant.

Conclusion: this example shows how the effectiveness decreases when the plants percentages are not in the claimed ranges.

EXAMPLE 4 (COMPARATIVE)

Flowers and leaves of the following free of pesticides plants were collected and washed: Inula viscosa, Artemisia, Mint, Lentisk.

They were immersed in sunflower oil and inserted in a transparent hermetic container in the following ratios:

1 1 % Inula viscosa,

15% Artemisia,

5% Mint,

5% Lentisk,

64% sunflower oil.

After 30 days the plants were removed from the oily medium and the thus obtained preparation applied to the hives and apiary.

The composition showed an effectiveness of 88% at the first application.

After 6 months, the effectiveness decreased of 12%.

Conclusion: this example shows how the effectiveness drastically decreases and the stability depletes when one plant is missing.

EXAMPLE 5

The same plants and quantities of example 2 were used.

The process used was similar to that of example 2, with the exception that the container was not hermetically closed and thus an aerobic digestion took place.

The composition showed an effectiveness of 93% at the first application.

After 12 months, the effectiveness was constant.

Conclusion: this example shows how the effectiveness of the composition increases when the composition is obtained through an anaerobic maturation. The preferred embodiments and possible versions of the invention have been outlined above, but it is to be understood that the persons skilled in the art may make modifications and changes without infringing the scope of protection, as defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A composition comprising at least one plant of the Asteraceae family, at least one plant of the Lamiaceae family, at least one plant of the Anacardiaceae family and at least one plant of the Cistaceae family, wherein said composition comprises: 5-15% by weight of Inula viscosa, 10-20% by weight of Artemisia, 5-15% by weight of Mint, 2-15% by weight of Lentisk and 5-15% by weight of Cistus.

2. The composition according to claim 1 for use as a medicament.

3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2 for use as a medicament for the treatment of varroatosis.

4. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, which further comprises an excipient.

5. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising oil as solvent.

6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the oil is selected among sunflower oil, linseed oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, peanut oil, Lentisk oil, mixed seed oil.

7. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, comprising:

• Inula viscosa 8.2%,

•Artemisia 1 1.3%,

•Mint 5.1 %,

• Lentisk 4.7%,

•Cistus 8.3%, and

•sunflower oil 62.4%

8. The composition according to any of the preceding claims in fluid form.

9. The composition according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that it is obtained by means of an anaerobic digestion of the plants through solar radiation.

10. Medical surgical device or diagnostic kit comprising the composition according to any of the claims 1 -9.

1 1. Process for obtaining a composition for the treatment of varroatosis comprising the following steps:

a. inserting 5-15% by weight of Inula viscosa, 10-20% by weight of Artemisia,

5-15% by weight of Mint, 2-15% by weight of Lentisk, 5-15% by weight of Cistus and 20-73% by weight of sunflower oil in a transparent hermetic container;

b. exposing the container to solar radiation for 25-30 days while agitating the content 2-5 times a day, in anaerobic conditions;

c. filtering the composition.