Impact of Moringa oleifera seed aqueous extract on some biological, biochemical, and histological aspects of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails

摘要

AbstractSchistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases. It is a snail-borne trematode infection, andBiomphalaria alexandrinasnails are the intermediate host ofSchistosoma mansoniin Egypt. The objective of this study is to evaluate the molluscicidal activity of the aqueous seed extract ofMoringa oleiferaagainstB. alexandrinasnails. The results showed that this aqueous extract was lethal forB. alexandrinasnails (LC500.27?g/l; LC900.41?g/l). Exposure of snails to the sublethal concentrations of this aqueous extract caused a considerable reduction in survival rates and hatchability rates of eggs of these snails. Moreover, it negatively affected some biochemical aspects, where it increased the levels of transaminases (ALT and AST), while it decreased the concentrations of total protein, albumin, and globulin concentration. Histological examinations of the digestive gland of snails exposed to the sublethal concentrations of aqueous seed extract ofM. oleiferarevealed severe damage in the digestive cells, where they lost their tips and some were degenerated, while the secretory cells increased in number. Regarding the hermaphrodite gland, there were losses of connective tissues and irregular sperms, and the eggs were degenerated. These findings prove the potent activity of aqueous seed extract ofM. oleiferaagainst the intermediate hosts ofSchistosoma mansoniand provide a considerable scope in exploiting local indigenous resources for snails’ molluscicidal agents.]]>