Effect of plant molluscicides on selected enzymes related to energy metabolism in Biomphalaria arabica snails molluscan hosts to Schistosoma mansoni in Saudi Arabia.

Schistosomiasis is one of the most important human parasitic diseases. One of the possible methods for the control is through the molluscan intermediate host of the parasite. Biomphalaria arabica, molluscan hosts to Schistosoma mansoni in Saudi Arabia were treated with sublethal concentrations (LC25) of dry powdered leaves Solanum nigrum. Effect of plant on ectonucleotidases (NTPdases) (ADPase & ATPase), sodium/potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+ ATPase) and creatine kinase (CK) was traced. The plant molluscicide was potent in inhibiting the four investigated enzymes giving a percentage inhibition range between 45-55%. The effect of the inhibited enzymes on the compatibility of the snail hosts to schistosome parasite was discussed. In conclusion, the use of sublethal concentration of S. nigrum to disturb the biochemical profile of the snail hosts could be a promising and safe strategy to control the disease.