Effect of the plants Thevetia peruviana and Alstonia scholaris [family: apocynaceae] on acetylcholinesterase activity of lymnaea acuminata snails

ABSTRACT

The aquatic snail Lymnaea acuminata is a vector of the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, which cause endemic fascioliasis in cattle and livestock of Eastern India. Very low concentration of the aqueous and partially purified extracts of lattices of Thevetia peruviana and Alstonia scholaris [Family-Apocynaceae] can kill these snails. The latices of both plants had strong in vivo and in vitro inhibitory effects on the acetylcholinesterase [AChE] of Lymnaea acuminata. These plants could potentially use in snail control. Their reversible action and low toxicity to fishes would be an added advantage in their use. It is possible that at this level of molluscicidal activity, the tested extracts from the plants Thevetia peruviana and Alstonia scholaris will have a future use in control of fascioliasis