Evaluation of Eucalyptus globulus (Blue gum), azadirachta indica (Neem) and phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) extracts as molluscicidal agents against the planorbid snail biomphalaria pfeifferi

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the molluscicidal activities of crude aqueous and methanol extracts of Eucalyptus globulus, Azadirachta indica and Phytolacca dodecandra against Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. Standard protocols established by the WHO were used in the bioassays. Molluscicidal activity was determined by exposing twenty adult snails to different concentrations of each extract. P. dodecandra was assessed for its ovicidal activity, having exhibited the highest molluscicidal activity. Eight egg masses were exposed to each concentration. Probit analysis was used to determine the LCso and LC90 values after 24 hours of exposure. An independent sample t-test was carried out to determine the difference in potency between extracts of each plant.