Molluscicidal activity of Nigella sativa seed, Azadirachta indica leaf and Khaya senegalensis bark ethanolic extracts against Bulinus truncatus snails

In order to control schistosomiasis, a strategy involves eliminating the intermediate host responsible for its transmission. Plant-derived molluscicides have been extensively researched as a cost-effective approach to combat this disease, seeking alternative solutions to synthetic molluscicides. The study aimed to analyze the phytoconstituents and assess the molluscicidal impact of ethanolic extracts on adult Bulinus truncatus snails. Dried plant materials were ground into powder, and then extracted using ethanol 96%. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures. In vitro molluscicidal activity was evaluated for the three plants extracts in different concentrations (125, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm). Every 5 adult snails were placed in a plastic cup containing a specific amount of dechlorinated water with plant sample. Control negative was prepared by placing the snails in dechlorinated water only, the numbers of survived and dead snails were recorded after 24 and 48 hours. The Lethal dose and Standard deviation were calculated. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of different chemical constituents in the three plants samples. The result showed that all the plants extracts possessed molluscicidal activity against B. truncatus snails. The A. indica leaf extract was the most effective with LD50 of 74.32544 ppm. From the findings of this study, Molluscicide of plant origin could be useful against the common snail species in Sudan; therefore, the selected plants can play a big role in community based schistosomiasis control.