Molluscicidal and cercaricidal efficacy of Acanthus mollis and Its binary and tertiary combinations with solanum nigrum and iris pseudacorus against Biomphalaria alexandrina

ABSTRACT

The molluscicidal activity of leaves of Acanthus mollis against Biomphalaria Alexandria was studied in this work. Its petroleum ether extract [LC50 values = 6.92 mg/L] was more potent than Solanum nigrum and Iris pseudacorus extracts. A binary combination [11] of A. mollis and S. nigrum as well as a binary combination [11] of A. mollis and I. pseudacorus extracts showed an additive effect on snails [24 hr LC50 = 5.09 mg/l and 3.76 mg/l, respectively]. A tertiary combination [111] of A. mollis, S. nigrum and I. pseudacorus extracts [24 hr LC50 = 4.01 mg/l] showed good results. Also, the petroleum ether extract of A. mollis leaves killed Schistosoma mansoni cercariae at concentrations of 20, 10 and 5 mg/1 within 30, 45 min and 1 hr, respectively. Mortality increased with increasing the exposure time and concentration