Biochemical and histopathological effects of clove oil on the land snail Helix aspersa

Abstract Background Terrestrial snails are regarded as agricultural pests since they devour any plant components and cause financial and crop loss. This study aims to evaluate the antifeedant efficacy of clove oil on the snail Helix aspersa . Results The toxicity of clove oil was determined after 1 day of exposure. LC 50 and LC 90 values (%) were 9.8 and 16.03, respectively. Exposure to different concentrations of clove oil significantly ( P ≤ 0.001) reduced protease activity and α-glucosidase activity in the digestive tract of Helix aspersa . The most decrease in protease activity is after the 1st week of exposure (32 ± 1 µmole/min/mg protein) at the concentration 4.5% clove oil. There is a significant decline in α-glucosidase concentration (27.9 ± 0.05 in 1st week and 30.6 ± 0.5 in the 3rd week ( P ≤ 0.01) at the 4.5% clove oil. ALT, AST, and GTG were increased in both concentrations at the time beginning of exposure. ALT showed a significant elevation ( P ≤ 0.01) to be 14.5 ± 0.5 and 22.9 ± 0; the values of AST were 54.9 ± 0.1 and 72 ± 0.2; GGT concentration was 134 ± 1 and 146 ± 0.5 at the concentrations 2% and 4.5% clove oil, respectively. Exposure to the clove oil at different concentrations caused abnormal changes in the digestive gland and intestine such as vacuolation of cells, gaps, and degeneration in the mucosa. Ultrastructural abnormalities such as degeneration of microvilli, different sizes of electron-dense vesicles, and lysosomes were observed upon exposure to clove oil. Conclusion So, clove oil can be used as an effective bio-molluscicide.