Laboratory assessment of divaricatic acid against Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

• Published in: Acta tropica Vol. 178; pp. 97 - 102
• Main Authors: Silva, H.A.M.F., Siqueira, W.N., Sá, J.L.F., Silva, L.R.S, Martins, M.C.B., Aires, A.L., Amâncio, F.F., Pereira, E.C., Albuquerque, M.C.P.A, Melo, A.M.M.A., Silva, N.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-02-2018
• Subjects: Biomphalaria glabrata; Lichen substances; Molluscicide activity; Ramalina aspera; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma mansoni; Biomphalaria glabrata; Lichen substances; Molluscicide activity; Ramalina aspera
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.09.019

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•Divaricatic acid exhibits toxicity against B. glabrata embryos and adult snails.•Malformations and delay in embryonic development were observed.•Divaricatic acid showed lethal effects against cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni.•Divaticatic acid was not toxic to Artemia salina.
In this study, the molluscicidal and antiparasitic activities of divaricatic acid was evaluated, targeting the mollusc Biomphalaria glabrata and cercariae of the helminth Schistosoma mansoni. In addition, the environmental toxicity of divaricatic acid was assessed by bioassay using the microcrustacean Artemia salina. Divaricatic acid showed high toxicity against both adult snails (5μg/mL) and embryos (20μg/mL after 6h of exposure). Similar activity was observed in Schistosoma mansoni cercariae after only a short exposure time (10μg/mL after 30min of exposure). The divaricatic acid did not show toxicity in the acute test using Artemia salina at concentrations equal to or below 200μg/mL. The divaricatic acid proved to be a promising substance for the elimination of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata, an intermediate host of schistosomiasis, as well as the cercariae of the pathogen, while being non-toxic to the Artemia salina at the same concentrations. This is the first experimental observation of the molluscicidal and cercaricide activity of divaricatic acid.