Molluscicidal and Synergicidal Activities of the Leaves of Four Niger Delta Mangrove Plants Against Schistosomiasis Vectors

Plant-derived pesticide have found several remedial application in the control of most diseases (especially vector-borne diseases). Synthetic pesticides are unaffordable in most disease endemic areas; besides they may induce varying toxicity to nontargetedspecies as they bio-magnify along the food-chain. The fecundity of vector/parasites in the Niger Delta is becoming hyper-endemic due to the water-logged nature of the terrain. The molluscicidal activities of crude and methanolic extracts of the leaves of four Niger Delta Mangrove plants (Rhizophora mangle, R. racemosa, Avicennia germinans and Languncularia racemosa), were investigated against some vectors of schistosomiasis (Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus globosus and Bulinus rholfsi), following standard protocol. Compared to the individual activities demonstrated by the four plants, the highest mortality was recorded in the methanolic-synergicidal formula (1:1:1:1), of the four plants against B. pfeifferi (LC50=74.84ppm), B.globosus (LC50=65.10ppm) and B. rholfsi (LC50=28.00ppm). Also, within the synergicidal results, B. pfeifferi was less susceptible to all extracts compared to B. globosus and B. rholfsi. These results indicate that Niger Delta Mangrove plants show great potential as molluscicide for the control of schistosomiasis.

Keywords:

Niger Delta , Mangrove plant , Molluscicide , Schistosomiasis