Molluscicidal Activity of Essential oils of Piper Nigrum Against the Vector Snail of Fasciola Species

In the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, fascioliasis, a common zoonotic disease, shows a significant incidence. Essential oils derived from various plants play a crucial role in human health. It is also found that the essential oils extracted from different plants show a significant role in controlling different pests. The present study indicates that the essential oils obtained from fruits of Piper nigrum serve as effective herbal molluscicides against the vector of the flat worms Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, the snail Lymnaea acuminata. The essential oils from fruits of Piper nigrum extracted using both traditional and innovative methods, including solvent extraction (SE) and hydrodistillation (HD). The results clearly demonstrate that the essential oils from fruits of Piper nigrum exhibit a strong molluscicidal effect (24-hour LC50 2.5), especially against the vector snail Lymnaea acuminata. The present study clearly demonstrate that the essential oils extracted from the king of spices Piper nigrum fruit is highly toxic to the vector snails Lymnaea acuminata. It is said to be a potent molluscicides of plant origin because of highly toxic, species specific, biodegradable, cost effective and eco-friendly.