Physiological changes in Biomphalaria glabrata Say, 1818 (Pulmonata: Planorbidae) caused by sub-lethal concentrations of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii N.E.B (Euphorbiaceae)

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Vol. 101; no. 1; pp. 3 - 8
• Main Authors: Mello-Silva, Clélia Christina, Vasconcellos, Maurício Carvalho de, Pinheiro, Jairo, Rodrigues, Maria de Lurdes de Azevedo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz 01-02-2006; Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
• Subjects: Animals; Biomphalaria - drug effects; Biomphalaria - physiology; Biomphalaria glabrata; Euphorbia - chemistry; Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii; Glucose - analysis; Glycogen - analysis; Hemolymph - chemistry; Latex - isolation & purification; Latex - pharmacology; Lethal Dose 50; PARASITOLOGY; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; plant molluscide; plant molluscide - Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii - Biomphalaria glabrata; Proteins - analysis; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Uric Acid - analysis; plant molluscide; Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii; Biomphalaria glabrata
• ISSN: 1678-8060; 0074-0276; 0074-0276; 1678-8060
• DOI: 10.1590/S0074-02762006000100002

Molluscides have been used as one of the strategies to control
schistosomiasis. Many plant extracts with molluscidal effects have been
tested, but the action of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var.
hislopii is considered the most promising because it meets the
recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective
of this study was to determine the lethal dose and identify the effects
of the different doses of latex of E. splendens var. hislopii on the
physiology of Biomphalaria glabrata submitted to treatment for 24 h.
The concentrations of glucose, uric acid and total proteins in the
hemolymph and of glycogen in the digestive gland and cephalopodal mass
were determined. The LD50 value was 1 mg/l. The highest escape index
was found to be at a concentration of 0.6 mg/l. The results showed that
the latex of E. splendens var. hislopii caused a sharp reduction in the
reserves of glycogen in the digestive gland and elevation of the
protein content in the hemolymph of B. glabrata.