Relaxing effect of eugenol and essential oils in Pomacea canaliculata

Efeito relaxante de eugenol e óleos essenciais em Pomacea canaliculata

ABSTRACT:

This study evaluated the potential relaxing and/or molluscicidal effects of eugenol and essential oils of Origanum majorana, Ocimum americanum, Hesperozygis ringens, and Piper gaudichaudianum in the gastropod Pomacea canaliculata. Compounds were tested at concentrations of 100, 250, 500, and 750µL L^-1 to evaluate the relaxing effects. In the second experiment, animals were exposed to 10, 25, and 50µL L^-1 of essential oils of H. ringens and P. gaudichaudianum for a period of 24h for the evaluation of molluscicidal effects. Eugenol and essential oils of O. majorana and O. americanum showed relaxing effects at ≥250µL L^-1, but the essential oils of H. ringens and P. gaudichaudianum did not promote relaxing or molluscicidal effects within the times and concentrations studied. Therefore, only eugenol and the essential oils of O. majorana and O. americanum can be used for relaxation purposes in P. canaliculata.

Key words:
anesthesia; golden apple snail; mollusk; Ocimum americanum; Origanum majorana