Molluscicidal and schistosomicidal activities of a steroidal saponin containing fraction from dracaena fragrans (L.)‎

Abstract EN

The steroidal saponin-containing fraction from metabolic extract of Dracaena fragrans (Family : Agavaceae) was tested for mollusci-cidal and ovicidal activities against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus, the snail vectors of Schistosoma mansoni and S.

haematobium in Egypt, respectively.

It was also tested for schistose-micidal activity in vitro on adult S.

mansoni and against the free-living miracidia and cercariae of the parasite.

The homogenate soft body of B.

alexandrina was used to determine the effect of the saponin fraction on total protein, albumen, aminotransferase enzymes and acetylcholin esterase.

The results showed that the saponin fracti-on had considerable molluscicidal activity ; LC50 and LC90 were 2.7 ppm and 3.7 ppm for B.

alexandrine and 2 ppm and 2.5 ppm for B.

truncates, respectively.

Snail eggs did not hatch in concentration as low as half molluscicidal LC50 (1.35 ppm).

The LC50 killed all miracidia and cercariae in 30 seconds and after 22 and 40 minutes at a very low concentration (0.165 ppm) respectively, and had in vitro lethal effect on adults with LC50 18.4 µg / ml 4 days post-exposure.

The snail tissue homogenate showed significant increase in total protein content & albumen, in aminotransferases and acetyl cholinesterase activities.