Laboratory Assessment of Molluscicidal and Cercaricidal Activities of Balanites aegyptiaca against Vectors of Schistosomiasis (Biomphalaria pfeifferi)

Abstract

Studies were conducted on assessment of molluscicidal and cercaricidal activities of leaves, fruits and endocarp of Balanite aegyptiaca Del against adult vectors of schistosomiasis (Biomphalaria pfeifferi) using standard methods. Preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted, where alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids were found present in leaves, fruits, and endocarp. Molluscicidal and cercaricidal activity test were also conducted. Snail mortalities were compared between each plant part and snail specie as well as LC50 of the plant parts were also recorded. The result obtained revealed that leaves extract was more susceptible to the death of the snail species. Comparing LC50, the leaves extract shows 0.0726 considered as the highest cercaricidal while fruits and endocarp showed highest LC50of 0.0531 and 0.0426 respectively.