# Fascioliasis Control:In Vivo and In Vitro Phytotherapy of Vector Snail to Kill Fasciola Larva

Authors: Kumari Sunita; D. K. Singh
Journal: Journal of Parasitology Research
 (2011)

---

## Abstract

Snail is one of the important components of an aquatic ecosystem, it acts as intermediate host ofFasciola species. Control of snail population below a certain threshold level is one of the important methods in the campaign to reduce the incidence of fascioliasis. Life cycle of the parasite can be interrupted by killing the snail or Fasciola larva redia and cercaria in the snail body. In vivo and in vitro toxicity of the plant products and their active component such as citral, ferulic acid, umbelliferone, azadirachtin, and allicin against larva of Fasciola in infected snail Lymnaea acuminata were tested. Mortality of larvae were observed at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h, of treatment. In in vivo treatment, azadirachtin caused highest mortality in redia and cercaria larva (8 h, LC50 0.11, and 0.05 mg/L) whereas in in vitro condition allicin was highly toxic against redia and cercaria (8 h, LC50 0.01, and 0.009 mg/L). Toxicity of citral was lowest against redia and cercaria larva.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

Fascioliasis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused byFasciola  hepaticaand Fasciola gigantica (family fasciolidae) [1]. F. hepatica has worldwide distribution but predominates in temperate zones while F. gigantica is found primarily in tropical regions [2–4]. The definite host is very broad and includes many herbivorous mammals including humans. Human fascioliasis has been reported in 51 different countries from five continents [4]. Fascioliasis is now recognized as an emerging human disease. World health organization has estimated that 2.4 million people are infected with Fasciolaand a further 180 million are at risk of infection [1]. Singh and Agarwal [5] reported that 94% of buffaloes slaughtered in local slaughtered house in Gorakhpur district are infected with F. gigantica. In northern India Lymnaea acuminata is the intermediate hosts of the Fasciola species [2]. Although control of snail population below a threshold level is one of the important methods for effective control of fascioliasis [6–9], yet snails are one of the important components in the aquatic ecosystem. Release of molluscicides in aquatic system for snail control also affects the other nontarget organism. The Fasciolalarval stage sporocyst, redia, and cercaria in the snail body are in division phase of F. gigantica. If these larvae will be destroyed by plant molluscicides at sublethal concentration in the snail body, the rate of infection can be reduced without killing the snail. Different plants-derived molluscicides and their active component such as citral, ferulic acid, umbelliferone, azadirachtin, and allicin [8, 10–12] were tested against Fasciolalarva in in vivo and in vitrocondition. There are new approaches to reduce incidence of the fascioliasis without killing the intermediate host snail.


## 2. Material and Methods

### 2.1. Animals

AdultLymnaea acuminata (2.6 ± 0.20 cm in length) were collected locally, and cercaria shedding infected and uninfected snails were separated in two groups. The snails were allowed to acclimatize for 24 hours in laboratory condition. Each infected snail was dissected in a glass petri dish containing 10 mL of dechlorinated water at 22°C–24°C. The pH of the water was 7.1–7.3, and dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxidez and bicarbonate alkalinity were 6.5–7.2 mg/L, 5.2– 6.3 mg/L, and 102.0–105.0 mg/L, respectively.After dissection redia and cercaria were separated in a different petri dish containing 10 mL of dechlorinated water. These larvae were kept in dechlorinated tap water where they survive up to 48 h in laboratory condition.


### 2.2. Plants

Zingiber  officinale rhizome, Allium sativum bulbs, and Ferula asafoetida latex were purchased from local market of Gorakhpur. Azadirachta indica oil was supplied by Indian herbs, Saharanpur, India.


### 2.3. Chemicals

Citral, ferulic acid, umbelliferone, azadirachtin, and diallyl disulfide were purchased from Sigma chemical Co., USA allicin was prepared by the method of V.K. Singh and D.K. Singh [11].


### 2.4. Toxicity Determination

#### 2.4.1. In Vivo

In vivo toxicity of active components at different concentration were determined against larvae of Fasciola in infected Lymnaea acuminata (Table 1). After 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h of treatment, infected snails were dissected. Then live and dead redia and cercaria were counted. Mortality of radia/cercaria was established by immediate arrest of locomotion/movement. It was continuously monitored up to 48 h in all treatments to ensure death. Percent mortality of larvae at each concentration for 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h was used for determination of LC50.Table 1
Concentration of different active components of plants products used in toxicity trial againstFasciola gigantica larva (redia and cercaria).
LarvicidesIn vivoconcentrations mg/LIn vitroconcentrations mg/LZ. officinale extract—7, 10, 20, 30F. asafoetida extract—1, 2, 3, 5Neem oil—0.5, 1, 2, 3A. sativum extract—0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5Citral10, 20, 30, 505, 10, 20, 30Ferulic acid0.7, 1, 2, 30.5, 0.7, 1, 2Umbelliferone1, 2, 3, 50.3, 0.5, 1, 2Azadirachtin0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.50.07, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3Allicin0.7, 1, 3, 50.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05


#### 2.4.2. In Vitro

In vitro toxicity of plant products were performed in the petri dish. Ten redia and cercaria larva of Fasciola were separated in different petri dishes containing 10 mL dechlorinated tap water. Treatment of different plant products and their active components was made directly in the petri dish, containing 10 redia/cercaria. Mortality of redia and cercaria were observed after 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h of treatment. Counting of larvae was performed with help of a microscope.Lethal value (LC50), low and upper confidence limits (LCL and UCL), slope values, t-ratio, g-value, and heterogeneity factor were calculated with the help of POLO computer programmed by Robertson et al. [13]. One-way ANOVA and product moment correlation coefficient were applied by the method of Sokal and Rohlf [14].


## 2.1. Animals

AdultLymnaea acuminata (2.6 ± 0.20 cm in length) were collected locally, and cercaria shedding infected and uninfected snails were separated in two groups. The snails were allowed to acclimatize for 24 hours in laboratory condition. Each infected snail was dissected in a glass petri dish containing 10 mL of dechlorinated water at 22°C–24°C. The pH of the water was 7.1–7.3, and dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxidez and bicarbonate alkalinity were 6.5–7.2 mg/L, 5.2– 6.3 mg/L, and 102.0–105.0 mg/L, respectively.After dissection redia and cercaria were separated in a different petri dish containing 10 mL of dechlorinated water. These larvae were kept in dechlorinated tap water where they survive up to 48 h in laboratory condition.


## 2.2. Plants

Zingiber  officinale rhizome, Allium sativum bulbs, and Ferula asafoetida latex were purchased from local market of Gorakhpur. Azadirachta indica oil was supplied by Indian herbs, Saharanpur, India.


## 2.3. Chemicals

Citral, ferulic acid, umbelliferone, azadirachtin, and diallyl disulfide were purchased from Sigma chemical Co., USA allicin was prepared by the method of V.K. Singh and D.K. Singh [11].


## 2.4. Toxicity Determination

### 2.4.1. In Vivo

In vivo toxicity of active components at different concentration were determined against larvae of Fasciola in infected Lymnaea acuminata (Table 1). After 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h of treatment, infected snails were dissected. Then live and dead redia and cercaria were counted. Mortality of radia/cercaria was established by immediate arrest of locomotion/movement. It was continuously monitored up to 48 h in all treatments to ensure death. Percent mortality of larvae at each concentration for 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h was used for determination of LC50.Table 1
Concentration of different active components of plants products used in toxicity trial againstFasciola gigantica larva (redia and cercaria).
LarvicidesIn vivoconcentrations mg/LIn vitroconcentrations mg/LZ. officinale extract—7, 10, 20, 30F. asafoetida extract—1, 2, 3, 5Neem oil—0.5, 1, 2, 3A. sativum extract—0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5Citral10, 20, 30, 505, 10, 20, 30Ferulic acid0.7, 1, 2, 30.5, 0.7, 1, 2Umbelliferone1, 2, 3, 50.3, 0.5, 1, 2Azadirachtin0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.50.07, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3Allicin0.7, 1, 3, 50.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05


### 2.4.2. In Vitro

In vitro toxicity of plant products were performed in the petri dish. Ten redia and cercaria larva of Fasciola were separated in different petri dishes containing 10 mL dechlorinated tap water. Treatment of different plant products and their active components was made directly in the petri dish, containing 10 redia/cercaria. Mortality of redia and cercaria were observed after 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h of treatment. Counting of larvae was performed with help of a microscope.Lethal value (LC50), low and upper confidence limits (LCL and UCL), slope values, t-ratio, g-value, and heterogeneity factor were calculated with the help of POLO computer programmed by Robertson et al. [13]. One-way ANOVA and product moment correlation coefficient were applied by the method of Sokal and Rohlf [14].


## 2.4.1. In Vivo

In vivo toxicity of active components at different concentration were determined against larvae of Fasciola in infected Lymnaea acuminata (Table 1). After 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h of treatment, infected snails were dissected. Then live and dead redia and cercaria were counted. Mortality of radia/cercaria was established by immediate arrest of locomotion/movement. It was continuously monitored up to 48 h in all treatments to ensure death. Percent mortality of larvae at each concentration for 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h was used for determination of LC50.Table 1
Concentration of different active components of plants products used in toxicity trial againstFasciola gigantica larva (redia and cercaria).
LarvicidesIn vivoconcentrations mg/LIn vitroconcentrations mg/LZ. officinale extract—7, 10, 20, 30F. asafoetida extract—1, 2, 3, 5Neem oil—0.5, 1, 2, 3A. sativum extract—0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5Citral10, 20, 30, 505, 10, 20, 30Ferulic acid0.7, 1, 2, 30.5, 0.7, 1, 2Umbelliferone1, 2, 3, 50.3, 0.5, 1, 2Azadirachtin0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.50.07, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3Allicin0.7, 1, 3, 50.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05


## 2.4.2. In Vitro

In vitro toxicity of plant products were performed in the petri dish. Ten redia and cercaria larva of Fasciola were separated in different petri dishes containing 10 mL dechlorinated tap water. Treatment of different plant products and their active components was made directly in the petri dish, containing 10 redia/cercaria. Mortality of redia and cercaria were observed after 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h of treatment. Counting of larvae was performed with help of a microscope.Lethal value (LC50), low and upper confidence limits (LCL and UCL), slope values, t-ratio, g-value, and heterogeneity factor were calculated with the help of POLO computer programmed by Robertson et al. [13]. One-way ANOVA and product moment correlation coefficient were applied by the method of Sokal and Rohlf [14].


## 3. Results

In vivo and in vitro larvicidal activity of Z. officinale, F. asafoetida, A. indica, A. sativum,and their active molluscicides components against the redia and cercaria larva of F. giganticais time and concentration dependent (Tables 2–5). In in vivo and in vitro treatment azadirachtin and allicin caused highest toxicity against redia and cercaria larva. 8 h LC50 of azadirachtin against redia/cercaria larva in in vivotreatment was 0.11 mg/L/0.09 mg/L, respectively (Tables 2 and 3). In in vitrotreatment 8 h LC50 of allicin against redia and cercaria was 0.01 and 0.009 mg/L, respectively (Tables 4 and 5). Toxicity of citral against both the larval stage was lowest (Tables 2–5). Significant (P<0.05) negative regression was observed between exposure period and LC50 of different plant products.Table 2
In vivo toxicity of different components of plant products against the redia larva of Fasciola gigantica.
ExposureLarvicidal (mg /L)LC50LCLUCLSlope valuet-ratiog-valueHeterogeneity2 hCitral59.6142.39131.001.55 ± 0.364.240.210.12Ferulic acid3.062.414.672.10 ± 0.385.430.130.16Umbelliferone3.702.875.721.56 ± 0.344.540.180.11Azadirachtin1.000.5225.190.95 ± 0.352.820.480.14Allicin5.893.5521.659.99 ± 0.359.800.260.154 hCitral39.2829.8865.661.46 ± 0.344.310.200.18Ferulic acid2.231.723.531.51 ± 0.344.410.190.11Umbelliferone2.481.833.461.34 ± 0.324.070.230.13Azadirachtin0.350.250.721.13 ± 0.323.440.320.10Allicin2.141.463.421.01 ± 0.244.220.210.126 hCitral26.2919.4837.971.31 ± 0.323.990.240.23Ferulic acid1.431.012.021.25 ± 0.333.740.270.13Umbelliferone1.520.981.971.52 ± 0.334.530.180.16Azadirachtin0.210.130.321.05 ± 0.323.270.350.11Allicin0.940.491.351.09 ± 0.244.430.190.188 hCitral13.215.3518.851.10 ± 0.323.370.330.20Ferulic acid0.760.490.981.79 ± 0.364.940.150.14Umbelliferone1.110.631.471.64 ± 0.354.700.170.17Azadirachtin0.110.060.151.57 ± 0.344.570.180.25Allicin0.660.400.901.61 ± 0.285.670.110.35LCL: lower confidence limits, UCL: upper confidence limits. Six batches of 15 snails were exposed to different concentrations of the above molluscicidal treatments. Mortality of redia was recorded every 2 h. Concentrations given are the final concentration (W/V) in the glass aquarium water. Significant negative regression (P<0.05) was observed between exposure time and LC50 of treatments. TS: testing significant of the regression coefficient. Citral: 12.06+, ferulic acid: 29.31+, umbelliferone: 7.76++, azadirachtin: 15.58++, allicin: 19.19++: linear regression between x and y, ++: nonlinear regression.Table 3
In vivo toxicity of different active components of plants products against the cercaria larva of Fasciola gigantica.
ExposureLarvicidal (mg/L)LC50LCLUCLSlope valuet-ratiog-valueHeterogeneity2 hCitral49.0334.81112.161.30 ± 0.343.800.260.14Ferulic acid2.530.134.191.57 ± 0.354.500.190.20Umbelliferone3.762.717.621.17 ± 0.333.560.300.17Azadirachtin0.430.310.901.29 ± 0.333.810.260.13Allicin2.801.757.000.79 ± 0.233.320.340.134 hCitral24.3318.1433.161.40 ± 0.334.240.210.13Ferulic acid1.651.262.311.43 ± 0.334.230.210.17Umbelliferone1.640.872.281.14 ± 0.323.500.310.14Azadirachtin0.230.160.321.22 ± 0.323.750.270.11Allicin1.060.501.600.92 ± 0.243.820.260.166 hCitral14.639.9218.531.70 ± 0.344.460.150.12Ferulic acid0.980.651.261.53 ± 0.344.460.190.18Umbelliferone1.090.451.531.34 ± 0.333.960.240.09Azadirachtin0.140.070.191.26 ± 0.333.820.260.12Allicin0.420.100.741.02 ± 0.263.870.250.298 hCitral8.653.2412.731.37 ± 0.343.940240.19Ferulic acid0.590.270.821.54 ± 0.364.210.210.21Umbelliferone0.920.611.161.34 ± 0.335.780.110.30Azadirachtin0.090.050.121.94 ± 0.375.130.140.39Allicin0.380.160.581.65 ± 0.344.840.160.44LCL: lower confidence limits, UCL: upper confidence limits. Citral, ferulic acid, umbelliferone, neem oil, azadirachtin, and allicin. Six batches of 15 snails were exposed to different concentration of the above molluscicidal treatments. Mortality of cercaria was recorded every 2 h. Concentrations given are the final concentration (W/V) in the glass aquarium water. Significant negative regression (P<0.05) was observed between exposure time and LC50 of treatments. TS: testing significant of the regression coefficient. Citral: 11.02++, ferulic acid: 8.35+, umbelliferone: 1.56++, azadirachtin: 11.82++, allicin: 8.52++: linear regression between x and y, ++: nonlinear regression.Table 4
In vitro toxicity of different plant products and their active components of plants against the redia larva of Fasciola gigantica.
ExposureLarvicidal (mg/mL)LC50LCLUCLSlope-valuet-ratiog-valueHeterogeneity2 hZ. O. Ext*35.3925.9668.411.73 ± 0.374.580.180.29Citral43.2130.2891.531.71 ± 0.364.750.170.27F. A. Ext*5.583.9612.531.45 ± 0.354.070.230.14Ferulic acid1.961.414.511.47 ± 0.383.820.260.24Umbelliferone4.532.7022.591.04 ± 0.303.450.320.19Neem oil6.813.6948.351.16 ± 0.333.520.310.14Azadirachtin0.380.241.421.20 ± 0.353.420.320.17A. S. Ext*0.810.522.991.42 ± 0.373.760.270.21Allicin0.050.040.151.31 ± 0.343.760.270.134 hZ. O. Ext24.4618.9838.641.63 ± 0.354.660.170.13Citral19.5914.7230.481.32 ± 0.294.560.180.19F. A. Ext3.982.799.711.09 ± 0.333.310.350.12Ferulic acid1.160.881.891.32 ± 0.373.560.300.16Umbelliferone1.851.353.001.20 ± 0.284.660.170.13Neem oil2.621.924.761.35 ± 0.294.520.180.16Azadirachtin0.140.100.181.39 ± 0.334.140.220.15A. S. Ext0.570.372.221.11 ± 0.333.290.350.13Allicin0.030.020.071.20 ± 0.333.630.290.156 hZ. O. Ext13.8810.3718.161.49 ± 0.334.400.190.18Citral0.975.3812.291.96 ± 0.284.220.210.13F. A. Ext1.450.831.931.34 ± 0.334.060.230.23Ferulic acid0.690.500.851.81 ± 0.394.640.170.13Umbelliferone0.770.491.031.40 ± 0.284.860.160.14Neem oil1.240.871.711.25 ± 0.284.410.190.15Azadirachtin0.100.070.121.92 ± 0.355.450.120.13A. S. Ext0.210.130.311.11 ± 0.325.940.320.11Allicin0.010.010.021.59 ± 0.334.780.160.148 hZ. O. Ext8.556.3010.432.14 ± 0.375.790.110.18Citral4.140.021.221.27 ± 0.304,210.210.22F. A. Ext0.850.531.092.46 ± 0.445.530.120.41Ferulic acid0.450.290.572.30 ± 0.044.990.150.41Umbelliferone0.630.410.821.75 ± 0.305.680.110.19Neem oil0.710.470.921.61 ± 0.295.400.130.40Azadirachtin0.070.050.091.92 ± 0.375.310.130.18A. S. Ext0.110.030.171.04 ± 0.323.190.370.11Allicin0.010.010.021.66 ± 0.334.940.150.17Z. O. Ext:Zingiber officinale, F. A. Ext: Ferula asafoetida extract, A. S. Ext: Allium sativum extract, LCL: lower confidence limits, UCL: upper confidence limits. Six batches of 10 redia larva were exposed to different concentration of the above molluscicides treatments. Mortality was recorded every 2 h. Concentrations given are the final concentration (W/V) in the glass aquarium water. Significant negative regression (P<0.05) was observed between exposure time and LC50 of treatments. TS: testing significant of the regression coefficient. Z. O. Ext: 9.58+, citral: 7.18++, ferulic asafetida: 6.51+, ferulic acid 8.68++, umbelliferone: 10.52++, neem oil: 16.46++, azadirachtin: 13.34++, allium sativum: 1.57+, allicin: 4.43++: linear regression between x andy, ++: nonlinear regression.Table 5
In vitro toxicity of different plant products and their active components against the cercaria larva of Fasciola gigantica.
ExposureLarvicidal (mg/mL)LC50LCLUCLSlope valuet-ratiog-valueHeterogeneity2 hZ. O. Ext33.7722.9899.351.24 ± 0.343.560.300.11Citral39.9928.8676.901.11 ± 0.304.950.150.27F. A. Ext4.513.1312.151.70 ± 0.323.370.810.55Ferulic acid1.721.215.181.18 ± 0.373.180.370.13Umbelliferone1.491.062.831.23 ± 0.274.450.190.18Neem oil6.813.1312.151.09 ± 0.283.910.210.15Azadirachtin0.380.260.871.57 ± 0.374.220.290.19A. S. Ext0.390.280.841.19 ± 0.333.590.290.12Allicin0.030.020.071.21 ± 0.333.640.280.134 hZ. O. Ext14.9110.6721.431.25 ± 0.333.740.270.17Citral19.8114.7231.761.27 ± 0.284.420.190.14F. A. Ext2.441.723.57120 ± 0.323.690.280.10Ferulic acid0.950.621.581.07 ± 0.362.910.450.16Umbelliferone1.030.701.971.97 ± 0.263.620.290.14Neem oil1.410.914.111.89 ± 0.263.340.340.12Azadirachtin0.270.200.511.51 ± 0.354.300.200.15A. S. Ext0.220.170.291.48 ± 0.334.470.190.18Allicin0.020.010.031.21 ± 0.323.710.270.146 hZ. O. Ext9.495.9412.381.45 ± 0.344.220.210.15Citral8.735.6011.621.33 ± 0.284.830.170.21F. A. Ext1.030.161.631.78 ± 0.322.420.650.11Ferulic acid0.510.230.701.34 ± 0.383.470.310.12Umbelliferone0.460.320.591.61 ± 0.285.410.120.16Neem oil0.620.400.891.10 ± 0.274.790.230.14Azadirachtin1.560.120.211.51 ± 0.334.460.190.12A. S. Ext0.140.080.181.46 ± 0.334.410.190.57Allicin0.070.040.011.17 ± 0.333.530.300.348 hZ. O. Ext7.735.039.841.83 ± 0.365.020.150.22Citral6.084.237.692.02 ± 0.326.210.100.38F. A. Ext0.990.681.242.49 ± 0.475.980.100.30Ferulic acid0.440.290.552.44 ± 0.484.990.130.25Umbelliferone0.270.130.391.39 ± 0.304.630.170.20Neem oil0.310.170.441.40 ± 0.294.750.170.16Azadirachtin0.080.050.111.50 ± 0.344.340.200.21A. S. Ext0.120.090.152.22 ± 0.366.010.100.26Allicin0.0090.0050.011.75 ± 0.364.740.170.25Z. O. Ext:Zingiber officinale, F. A. Ext: Ferula asafoetida extract, A. S. Ext: Allium sativum extract, LCL: lower confidence limits, UCL: upper confidence limits. Six batches of 10 cercaria larva were exposed to different concentration of the above molluscicides treatments. Mortality of cercaria was recorded every 2 h. Concentration given are the final concentration (W/V) in the glass aquarium water. Significant negative regression (P<0.05) was observed between exposure time and LC50 of treatments. TS: testing significant of the regression coefficient. Z. O. Ext: 17.91++, citral: 9.52++, ferulic asafetida: 6.04++, ferulic acid: 9.95++, umbelliferone: 7.69+, neem oil: 57.95++, azadirachtin: 13.39+, allium sativum: +6.29++, allicin: 5.81++: linear regression between x and y, ++: nonlinear regression.The slope values were steep, and separate estimation of LC based on each six replicatewas found with in the 95% confidence limit of LC50. The t-ratio was greater than 1.96 and the heterogeneity less than 1.0. The g-value was less than 0.5 at all probability levels (90, 95, and 99 resp.,); Tables 2, 3, 4, and 5).


## 4. Discussion

Results of the present study clearly indicate that theZingiber officinale (citral), Ferula asafoetida (ferulic acid, umbelliferone), Azadirachta indica oil (azadirachtin), and Allium sativum (allicin) have sufficient larvicidal activity against different larva of Fasciola giganticain in vivo andin vitrotreatments. The alcoholic extract of A. sativumbulb has also shown moderatein vitroanthelmintic activity against human Ascaris lumbricoides [15].A. sativum has been reported to be effective in dysentery and also acts as vermifuge [16, 17]. Oil of A. sativumhas also been reported to possess anthelmintic activity [18–20] and discards all injurious parasites in the intestine [16].  In vitrotoxicity of allicin against redia (8 h, LC50, 0.01 mg/L) and cercaria (8 h, LC50, 0.009 mg/L) is highest in in vitrocondition.The steep slope value indicates that a small increase in the concentration of different larvicide caused higher larval mortality. At-ratio value greater than 1.96 indicates that the regression is significant. Heterogeneity factor value less than 1.0 denote that in the replicate test of random sample the concentration response limits and, thus, the model fits the data adequately. The index of significance of the potency estimation g indicates that the value of mean is within the limit at all probability level (90, 95, and 99, resp.) since it is less than 0.5.Zingiber officinale is a perennial plant and is considered to be the universal medicine in Ayurveda. Significant anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extracts of rhizomes of Zingiber officinale against Ascaris lumbricoideshas been reported [15, 21]. Goto et al., [22] observed the in vitro lethal effect of Zingiber officinaleon Anisakis larvae. The antifilarial effect of Z. officinale against Dirofilaria immitishas been reported by Datta and Sukul [23]. Adewunmi et al. [24] and Singh et al. [12] have reported the molluscicidal activity of Z. officinale.Ferulic acid and umbelliferone are (Ferula asafoetida) potent molluscicides against L. acuminata [7, 8]. Although the antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antispasmodic, antihelminthic activity of F. asafoetidaextract and ferulic acid were reported by various workers [25–28], yet there was no report in in vivoandin vitro larvicidal activity of these active components against (redia and cercaria larva). Azadirachtin, an active component ofAzadirachta indicainhibits the motility of Haemonchus contortuslarva [29], Singh et al. [6] observed that A. Indicahave sufficient molluscicides activity against L. acuminata. In in vivotreatment of azadirachtin caused highest toxicity against redia (8 h, LC50, 0.11 mg/L) and cercaria (8 h, LC50, 0.05 mg/L). Present study clearly demonstrates that different larval stages in snail body as well as outside of snail body can be killed without killing the snails. Earlier it has been reported that citral (24 h, LC50—68.95 mg/L), ferulic acid (24 h, LC50—2.21 mg/L), umbelliferone (24 h, LC50—3.43 mg/L), azadirachtin (24 h, LC50—0.35 mg/L), and allicin (24 h, LC50—6.34 mg/L) are active molluscicides against L. acuminata [7, 10–12] 8 h LC50 of these plants against redia and cercaria larva is many time low that is used to kill in intermediate host L. acuminata. The concentrations that were used to kill redia and cercaria are not toxic to snails, even in 24 h exposure period. Consequently, phytotherapy of snails by these plants and their active component kills the redia and cercaria of F. gigantica, without killing the host snail. Snails are a crucial component of an aquatic ecosystem. In vivoand in vitro killing of redia and cercaria of F. gigantica is beneficial as it kills the target larva of F. gigantica. Generally active components, that is, citral, ferulic acid, umbelliferone, azadirachtin, and allicin, inhibit activity of acetylcholinesterase, acid/alkaline phosphates, and ATPase in the nervous tissue of L. acuminata [8, 11, 30]. In cercaria larva acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in nervous functioning and cytochrome oxidase system in electron transport is well developed for efficient release of energy in active cercaria [31–33]. To elucidate the mechanism of the larvicidal activity of active components against larval stages of F. gigantica, their effect on AChE and cytochrome oxidase in larva is required for further investigation.


## 5. Conclusion

It can be concluded from the present study that sublethal treatment of active molluscicidal components citral, ferulic acid, umbelliferone, azadirachtin, and allicin, kill the redia and cercaria larva ofF. gigantica inside the body of snail L. acuminata.Phytotherapy of infected snails by these active components is one of the new method to control the fascioliasis without killing the vector snail, an important components of the aquatic ecosystem.



---

*Source: 240807-2011-10-23.xml*