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Preliminary phytochemical screening and molluscicidal activity of the aqueous extract of Bidens pilosa Linné (Asteraceae) in Subulina octona (Mollusca, Subulinidade)

Abstracts

The aim of this study was to establish reference concentrations (LC50 e LC90) of aqueous extracts of Bidens pilosa on the land snail Subulina octona, in order to assess the changes caused by 24 and 48 h exposure to the sublethal concentration regarding species' fecundity, hatchability and in offspring produced after exposure to confirm the presence of tannins, saponins and flavonoids in this plant species. Eggs newly hatched and 30 day-old snails were exposed to sublethal concentration, calculated for adults. The phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, condensed tannins and saponins in the aqueous extract of B. pilosa. The LC50 and LC90 obtained were 51.4mg-mL and 74.1mg-mL respectively. The exposure to sublethal concentration reduced significantly the hatchability and the survival of the offspring hatched from exposed eggs and also caused a reduction on survival and growth in snails exposed for both time period. The exposure time also caused a reduction at the evaluated parameters.

Agricultural pest; control; land sn,ail; molluscicide; vegetable extract


O objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer as concentrações de referência (CL50 e CL90) do extrato aquoso de Bidens pilosa sobre o molusco terrestre Subulina octona bem como avaliar as alterações causadas pela exposição à CL50 por 24 e 48 horas sobre a fecundidade, eclodibilidade e na prole produzida após a exposição, além de confirmar a presença de taninos, saponinas e flavonóides nesta espécie de planta. Ovos, jovens recém-eclodidos e com 30 dias de idade do molusco foram expostos a concentração subletal, calculada para adultos. A análise fitoquímica confirmou a presença de flavonóides, taninos condensados e saponinas no extrato aquoso de B. pilosa. A CL50 e CL90 obtidas foram 51,4 mg-mL e 74,1 mg-mL, respectivamente. A exposição a concentrações subletais reduziu significativamente a eclosão e a sobrevivência da prole nascidas de ovos expostos aos dois períodos e também causou uma redução na sobrevivência e crescimento dos moluscos jovens. O maior tempo de exposição também causou uma redução nos parâmetros avaliados.

Praga; controle; molusco terrestre; moluscicida; extrato vegetal; agrícola


INTRODUCTION

Subulina octona (Bruguière 1789) (Subulinidae) is a land snail widely distributed in Brazil with medical and veterinary importance due to its participation as intermediate host in the life cycle of helminths such as Platynossomun illiciens (Braum, 1901) (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Railliet, 1898) (Nematoda, Angiostrongylidae) parasites of the domestic cat (Ash 1962Ash LR. 1962. Helminth parasites of dogs and cats in Hawaii. J Parasitol 48: 63-65., Maldonado 1945Maldonado JF. 1945. The life cicle of Tamerlania bragai Santos, 1934 (Eucotylidae) a Kidney fluke of domestic pigeons. J Parasitology, Lawrence 31(5): 306-314.), Postharmostomum gallinum (Witenberg, 1923) (Digenea, Brachylaimidae) and Paratanaisia bragai (Santos, 1934) (Digenea, Eucotylidae) which are parasites of birds (Alicata 1940Alicata JE. 1940. The life cycle of Postharmostomum gallinum, the cecal fluke of poultry. J Parasitol 26(2): 135-143., Maldonado 1945Maldonado JF. 1945. The life cicle of Tamerlania bragai Santos, 1934 (Eucotylidae) a Kidney fluke of domestic pigeons. J Parasitology, Lawrence 31(5): 306-314.), Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet 1866) (Kamensky 1905) (Nematoda, Angiostrongylidae) which is a parasite of canids (Bessa et al. 2000Bessa ECA, Lima WS, Daemon E, Cury MC and Araújo JLB. 2000. Desenvolvimento biológico de Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet) Kamensnky (Nematoda, Angiostrongylidae) em Subulina octona Bruguiere (Molusca, Subulinidae) em condições de laboratório. Rev Bras de Zool 17(1): 29-41.), Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Chen, 1935) (Angiostrongylidae), parasite of rodents and humans (Andersen et al. 1986Andersen E, Gubler DJ, Sorensen K, Beddard J and Ash LR. 1986. First report of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Puerto Rico. Am J Trop Med Hyg 35(2): 319-322.).

This species is usually found at damp and shaded places such as gardens and vegetable gardens (Aráujo and Bessa 1993). When it occurs at high densities, the control of this species becomes necessary in order to reduce the damages caused in crops. Besides, S. octona is a great experimental model for laboratory studies, due to some characteristics of its life cycle such as fast sexual maturity, short incubation period, high hatchability, high reproductive rates (Bessa and Araújo 1995aBessa ECA and Araújo JLB. 1995a. Oviposição, tamanho de ovos e medida do comprimento da concha em diferentes fases do desenvolvimento de Subulina octona (Bruguiére) (Pulmonata, Subulinidae) em condições de laboratório. Rev Bras Zool 12(3): 647-654., bBessa ECA and Araújo JLB. 1995b. Ocorrência de autofecundação em Subulina octona (Bruguière, 1789) (Pulmonata, Subulinidade) em condições de laboratório. Rev Bras Zool 12(3): 719-723.) and homogeneous growth (D'ávila and Bessa 2005aD'ávila S and Bessa ECA. 2005a. Influência do substrato sobre o crescimento de Subulina octona (Brugüière) (Mollusca, Subulinidae), sob condições de laboratório. Rev Bras Zool 22(1): 205-211.) making easy the analysis of substances with molluscicidal effect.

The currently used molluscicides are highly toxic to environment (Gasparotto et al. 2005Gasparotto Jr A, Brenzan MA, Piloto IC, Cortez DAG, Nakamura CV, Filho BPD, Filho RE and Ferreira AG. 2005. Estudo Fitoquímico e avaliação da atividade moluscicida do Calophyllum brasiliense CAMB (CLUSIACEAE). Quim Nova 28 (4): 575-578.) therefore; the World Health Organization recommends the application of plant derived molluscicides, because of its lower impacts to the environment (WHO 1983).

Studies have confirmed molluscicidal activity of methanolic and chloroformic extracts of 14 plant species of the family Asteraceae collected in Bolivia and Argentina on Biomphalaria glabrata (d'Orbigny 1835) (Planorbidae) (Bardon et al. 2007). Hmamouchiu et al. (2000)Hmamouchiu M, Lahlou M and Agoumi A. 2000. Molluscicidal activity of some Moroccan medicinal plants. Fitoterapia 71: 308-314. found molluscicidal activity in the species Artemisia herba- alba Asso (Asteraceae) on Bulinus truncatus (Audouin 1827) (Bulinidae) in Morocco, and reported the presence of saponins and flavonoids in this plant. These results demonstrate the importance of this plant family in the control of other snail species. The species Bidens pilosa Linné (Asteraceae) popularly known as hairy beggarticks, is a herbaceous plant with a short annual cycle (Lorenzi 2000Lorenzi H. 2000. Plantas daninhas do Brasil: terrestres, aquáticas, parasitas, tóxicas e medicinais. 3a ed., Nova Odessa: Instituto Plantarum, 608 p.) widely distributed in Brazilian territory, being used in folk medicine (Adegas et al. 2003Adegas FS, Voll E and Prete CEC. 2003. Embebição e germinação de sementes de picão-preto (Bidens pilosa). Planta Daninha, Viçosa-MG 21(1): 21-25.) for antimicrobial (Rojas et al. 2006Rojas JJ, Ochoa VJ, Ocampo AS and Muñoz JF. 2006. Screening for antimicrobial activity of ten medicinal plants used in Colombian folkloric medicine: a possible alternative in the treatment of non-nosocomial infections. BMC Complement Altern Med 6: 1-6., Deba et al. 2008Deba F, Xuan TD, Yasuda M and Tawata S. 2008. Chemical composition and antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities of the essential oils from Bidens pilosa Linn. var. Radiata. Food Control 19: 346-352.), hepatoprotective (Yuan et al. 2008Yuan L, Chen F, Ling L, Dou P, Bo H, Zhong M and Xia L. 2008. Protective effects of total flavonoids of Bidens pilosa L. (TFB) on animal liver injury and liver fibrosis. J Ethnopharmacol 116: 539-546.), diabetes (Chien et al. 2009) and ulcer (Freise 1933Freise FW. 1933. Plantas medicinais brasileiras. Boletim de Agricultura 34: 252-494.) antitumoral (Kumari 2009, Kviecinski et al. 2008Kviecinski MR, Felipe KB, Schoenfelder T, Wiese LPL, Rossi MH, Gonçalez E, Felicio JD, Filho DW and Pedrosa RC. 2008. Study of the antitumor potential of Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae) used in Brazilian folk medicine. J Ethnopharmacol 117: 69-75.) and antioxidant (Krishnaiah et al. 2011Krishnaiah D, Sarbatly R and Nithyanandam R. 2011. A review of the antioxidant potential of medicinal plant species. Food Bioprod Process 89: 217-233.).

This species contains chemical compounds such as flavonoids, saponins and tannins (Hoffmann and Holzl 1988Hoffmann B and Holzl J. 1988. A methylated chalcone glucoside from Bidens pilosa. Phytochemistry 27(11): 3700-3701., Silva et al. 2011Silva FL, Fischer DCH, Tavares JF, Silva, MS, Athayde-Filho PF and Barbosa-Filho. JM. 2011. Compilation of Secondary Metabolites from Bidens pilosa L. Molecules 16: 1070-1102., Valdés and Rego 2001Valdés HAL and Rego HPL. 2001. Bidens pilosa Linné. Rev Cubana Plant Med 6(1): 28-33.) all of which with proven biocidal activity, including against snails (Filho 2010Filho RB. 2010. Contribuição da Fitoquímica para o desenvol-vimento de um País Emergente. Quim Nova 33(1): 229-239., Lopes et al. 2011Lopes TC, Gonçalves JRS, Souza NS, Moraes DFC, Amaral FMM and Rosa IG. 2011. Avaliação moluscicida e perfil fitoquímico das folhas de Caryocar brasiliense Camb. Cad Pesq, São Luís 18(3): 23-30., Schaufelberger and Hostettmann 1983Schaufelberger D and Hostettmann K. 1983. On the moluscicidal activity of tannin containing plants. Planta Médica 48: 105-107.).

The aim of this study was confirm the presence of flavonoids, tannins and saponins in the aqueous extract of B. pilosa, calculate LC50 e LC90 on adult S. octona and verify the effect of the LC50 in different life stages of S. octona exposed to the sublethal concentration for 24 and 48 hours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Snails

The eggs, adults (60 day-old), 30 day-old, and newly hatched snails used in this study were obtained from a colony maintained at the Snail Biology Laboratory of the Prof. Maury Pinto de Oliveira Malacology Museum at the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (latitude: 21°45′13″S; longitude: 43°21′19″W; 678 m altitude). These snails were reared in plastic terrariums containing 20 g of moistened sterilized mulch (120°C for 1 hour) and fed ad libitum with poultry feed enriched with calcium carbonate (3:1 proportion) according to Araújo and Bessa (1993)Araújo JLB and Bessa ECA. 1993. Moluscos de importância econômica do Brasil. II Subulinidae, Subulina octona (Bruguiére) (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Stylommatophora). Rev Bras Zool 10(3): 489-497..

Preparation of the Aqueous Extracts

The aerial parts of B. pilosa were collected in January, 2011 in the São Benedito district of the city of Juiz de Fora (S 21°45.014' HO 43°19.684' and 814 m of altitude). One exsiccate was added at the herbarium Leopoldo Krieger at the Universidade Federal de Juiz de for a under register CESJ 58.406. Afterwards, these parts were washed and dried at room temperature for 10 days in an average temperature of 26±5°C. After that, the aerial parts were ground up in a domestic blender and stored in a sterilized recipient in cold storage. The aqueous extracts were produced by cold static soaking in distilled water for 72 hours. After that the suspended solutions were filtrated and the aqueous solution was used for the tests.

Phytochemical Analysis of Aqueous Extract of B. pilosa

For the phytochemical analysis, it was prepared a decoction with 5 g of the dried plant in distilled water during 30 minutes followed by simple filtration and reserved for the tests. To identify flavonoids a sodium hydroxide solution was used according to Mouco et al. (2003)Mouco GB, Bernardino MJ and Cornélio ML. 2003. Controle de Qualidade de Ervas Medicinais. Biotecnologia Cienc Desenvolv 31(2): 68-73.. The identification of saponins in the aqueous extract and the determination of foaming index were realized according to the WHO protocol (1992) and Farmacopéia Brasileira (2010). To confirm the presence of tannins in the extract of B. pilosa an agar solution was made (Merck) at 2.5% in distilled water. To differentiate the class of tannins (condensed or hidrolysable) a colorimetric test with ferric chloride (FeCl3) was realized at 2%. To quantify the condensed tannins it was utilized the Stiasny method (Doat 1978Doat J. 1978. Les Tanins dans les bois Tropicaux. Revue Bois et Florêt des Tropiques. Nogent, n. 182: 37-35, Nov-Dec 1978.) with three repetitions.

Calculation of the Lethal Concentration (LC90) and Sublethal Concentration (LC50) of B. pilosa

The protocol used was adapted from Silva et al. (2012)Silva LC, Souza BA, Bessa ECA and Pinheiro J. 2012. Effect of successive applications of the sublethal concentration of Solanum paniculatum in Subulina octona (Subulinidae). JNP 5: 157-167.. A pilot test was realized to find the two limit concentrations, a maximal (mortality of 100%) and a minimal (mortality of 10%). For this, 6 concentrations were used: 10, 20, 30, 80, 90 and 100 (mg-mL) and groups of 10 snails for each concentration. The maximal and minimal concentrations obtained for this test were 20 and 100 (mg-mL), respectively and from that limit concentrations more 3 intermediate concentrations of 40, 60 and 80 (mg-mL) were established, totaling 5 concentrations to calculate the LC50 and LC90. Thirty adult snails randomly selected and distributed (10 snails-group) were used in plastic terrariums with 9 cm diameter and 6 cm deep. Snails were exposed through dermal contact directly with 5 mL of aqueous extract, for each concentration, 20 mg-mL, 40 mg-mL, 60 mg-mL, 80 mg-ml and 100 mg-mL. The same number of animals were used for control group, and were exposed to the same amount of distilled water. The snails remained exposed for 24 hours and after this, were transferred to similar terrariums containing 50 g of moistened sterilized mulch (120°C for 1 hour) to remain more 24 h to recovery. During the 48 h period of the assays snails were not fed and at the end of recovery period the mortality was verified.

Effects of the LC50 on the Offspring Hatched from Eggs Exposed for 24 and 48 Hours

Sixty eggs were distributed in four groups (15 eggs-group) for both 24 and 48 h period. The assays were conduced at room temperature and the relative air humidity was measured every day (21° - 24°C e 82% of relative air humidity). The exposure was carried out by spraying 20 mL of LC50 of the extract, previously calculated, on the eggs and control groups with of the same number of eggs were exposed to 20 mL of distilled water during the same time period. Afterwards, the eggs were transferred to terrariums with the same measurements lined with previously sterilized mulch and moistened with tap water. The hatchability analysis was realized every other day, during 30 days.

Survival of the Offspring Originated from Exposed Eggs

Snails hatched from eggs exposed to the LC50 of extract were kept in the same terrariums. These newly hatched were fed according Araújo and Bessa (1993)Araújo JLB and Bessa ECA. 1993. Moluscos de importância econômica do Brasil. II Subulinidae, Subulina octona (Bruguiére) (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Stylommatophora). Rev Bras Zool 10(3): 489-497. and terrariums moistened with water every three days. Observations for mortality analysis were performed every three days, through direct observation of animals, dead individuals were removed from the terrarium. The reach sexual maturity was performed on the same frequency and was determined by the presence of eggs in the uterus, visible through the transparent shell (Bessa and Araújo 1995bBessa ECA and Araújo JLB. 1995b. Ocorrência de autofecundação em Subulina octona (Bruguière, 1789) (Pulmonata, Subulinidade) em condições de laboratório. Rev Bras Zool 12(3): 719-723., D'ávila and Bessa 2005bD'ávila S and Bessa ECA. 2005b. Influência do substrato sobre a reprodução de Subulina octona ((Brugüière) (Mollusca, Subulinidae), sob condições de laboratório. Rev Bras Zool Curitiba 22(1): 197-204.). The mortality and time to reach maturity was checked every third day for 120 days.

Effects of the LC50 on Growth, Survival and Reproduction of Newly Hatched and 30 Day Old Subulina Octona Exposed to the Aqueous Extract of B. pilosa for 24 and 48 Hours

For this assay were used 40 newly hatched and 30 day old snails with mean size of 2.03±0.23 mm and 5.9±0.57 mm respectively. The snails were distributed in groups (10 individuals-group, with four repetitions) kept in plastic terrariums where 20 mL of LC50 the extract were pulverized, previously calculated, and closed with cotton cloth and an elastic rubber to avoid the escape of the snails. Control groups composed by the same number of snails were subjected to the same treatment, but received only distilled water. After the exposure period, snails were transferred to other terrariums and fed as described above. The growth was determined by measurement of shell length every month using a caliper rule Kanon (Mardened Stainless 1-28 in. 1-20 mm). To asses the mortality, analysis were conduced every 3 days, for a period of 90 days by direct observation of snails and the dead ones were removed from terrariums. The reach of sexual maturity was observed with the same frequency and determined by the presence of eggs in the uterus, seen through the shell (D'ávila and Bessa 2005bD'ávila S and Bessa ECA. 2005b. Influência do substrato sobre a reprodução de Subulina octona ((Brugüière) (Mollusca, Subulinidae), sob condições de laboratório. Rev Bras Zool Curitiba 22(1): 197-204.).

Statistical Analysis

An acute intoxication occurred for sublethal (LC50) and lethal (LC90) concentrations obtained by Probit analysis (significance of 0.05), calculated with the BioStat 2008 software, version 2.5 the same test was applied to built the curves of concentration-response (Finney 1971Finney DJ. 1971. Probit analysys. 3rd ed., Cambridge University Press, London, 25 p.). The Kruskal-Wallis and the Student-Newman-Keuls (p<0.05) were applied to compare the hatching means, mortality and growth of snails exposed to LC50 by using the BioEstat software version 5.0. The curves were obtained using the Origin software version 6.0.

RESULTS

Phytochemical Analysis

The aqueous extracts of B. pilosa showed a yellowish color that changed into red after the addition of a solution of sodium hydroxide. This coloration is typical of chalcones and aurones, what confirm the presence of flavonoids in the aqueous extracts. The test with Agar solution confirmed the presence of tannins by turbidity in the aqueous extract. The moss green coloration observed after the addition of ferric chloride confirmed the presence of condensed tannins, which was also confirmed by the Stiasny test. The total tannins in extract (%) and total tannins in plant (%) were 11.40 and 3.71 respectively. The presence of saponins was verified and the foaming index was 100.

Calculation of Lethal Concentration and Sublethal Concentration (LC50 and LC90) for the Aqueous Extract of Bidens pilosa

Both LC50 and LC90 were calculated using the Probit analysis, resulting in 51.4 mg-mL and 74.1 mg-mL respectively. The ratio between concentrations-response is represented in Figure 1.

Figure 1
Ratio concentration-response of Subulina octona exposed to the aqueous extract of Bidens pilosa. Evaluated response=lethality, expressed as a percentage of dead snails.

Influence of the Bidens pilosa Extract on the Hatchability of Subulina octona

The hatch means of the groups exposed to the B. pilosa extract were significantly lower in comparison to the hatch means of control groups to the same period (24 h: H=9.3384; p=0.0024; 48 h: H=23.6739; p<0.0001). The hatching percentages of treatments are represented below. The exposure time also influenced the hatch means, and to the higher exposure period it was obtained a lower hatch mean (H=5.2036; p=0.0229) (table I). These results shows that the eggs exposed for a longer period to the LC50, presented more negative effects in hatchability. On the other hand, control groups do not differed among both time intervals (H=0.0625; p=0.8026).

TABLE I
Hatchability of Subulina octona offspring originated from eggs exposed to the aqueous extract of Bidens pilosa for 24 and 48 hours, during 30 days of observation.

Survival of the Offspring Hatched from Exposed Eggs

The survival of snails hatched from eggs exposed to B. pilosa extract was signifficantly lower (24 h: H=11.8127; p=0.0027; 48 h: H=15.4655; p=0.0004).

The survival on groups exposed for 24 h was signifficantly higher in comparison to the groups exposed for 48 h (H=8.1699; p=0.0047) once that for these groups all the snails were dead at the end of 45 days of observation (Figure 2). The survival of control groups did not vary on both exposure intervals (H=8.3333; p=0.2612). It was not observed the reach of sexual maturity in exposed and control groups for both exposure intervals during the observation period.

Figure 2
Survival of the offspring hacthed from eggs exposed to Bidens pilosa extract for 24 and 46 hours observed for 120 days.

Effects of the LC50 on Survival, Growth and Reproduction of Newly Hatched Subulina octona:

The survival of exposed groups was lower in comparison to the control groups exposed for the same time period (24 h: H=5.4634, p=0.0209; H=5.6709, p=0.0209). The exposure time influenced the survival of exposed snails, and for the longer exposure period the survival rates were lower (H= 4.5733, p=0.0433). The exposure time do not influenced the survival of control groups (H=0.35, p=0.5541). These results are presented on Figure 3.

Figure 3
Survival of newly hatched Subulina octona, exposed to the aqueous extract of Bidens pilosa for 24 and 48 hours observed for 90 days.

The growth analysis of groups exposed for 48 hours was carried out until the 60° day of observation due to the high mortality on these groups after this period. The tests demonstrated that the average size of groups exposed for 24 h do not differed from control group at the end of 90 days (H=0.8628, p=0.353). Nevertheless, the exposure time influenced the growth and the higher exposure period showed a lower growth in comparison to control group (H=8.6729, p=0.0033). The average size obtained for the groups exposed for 24 h was 9.66±0.87 mm and 8.6±1.93 mm for control and exposed groups respectively and to the groups exposed for 48 h the average size was 10.00±1.71 mm for control group and 7.06±1.61mm for exposed group.

In groups exposed for 24 hours, reached sexual maturity at about 81±8.5 days in 40% of snails that survived at the end of 90 days and for control groups exposed for the same period this percentage was from 13% with an average age of 59±4.9 days.

On the other hand, snails exposed for 48 h did not reach maturity until the end of the experiment. In control groups exposed for 48 h 37% of the snails reached maturity at the end of 90 days, with average age of 56.7±3.6 days.

Effects of LC50 on Survival, Growth and Reproduction on 30 Day Old Subulina octona

The survival in exposed groups was significantly lower in relation to control groups exposed for the same period (24 h: H=5.3976, p=0.0209; 48 h: H=5.6, p=0.0209). Besides, it can be observed that the exposure time also influenced on survival. Snails exposed for 48 hours showed survival means significantly lower (H=4.7573, p= 0.0296). It was not observed significantly difference on survival of control groups exposed for both intervals (H=0.0208, p=0.8852) Figure 4.

Figure 4
Survival of 30 day old Subulina octona, exposed to the aqueous extract of Bidens pilosa for 24 and 48 hours, observed during 90 days.

These rates demonstrate that the survival of the snails was high on the first 15 days and after this period it was progressively reduced and in the interval between the 30th and the 45th day it increased. This result suggests that the extract have a residual effect in these snails. In another way, groups exposed for 24 hours presented linear decrease on survival.

The measurements of the snails were carried out until the 30th day for groups exposed for 48 h due to the high mortality in these groups after this period. The tests indicates significantly differences in average shell lengths of exposed snails related to control groups (24 h: H=15.2005, p<0.0001; 48 h: H=34.0671, p<0.0001). The average size in exposed groups was 7.96±0.57 mm and 7.18±1.34 mm for the 24 and 48 h exposure time respectively and to control group, this mean was 11.74±2.05 mm for the 24 h interval and 10.83±1.99 in the 48 h interval.

DISCUSSION

The presence of flavonoids, saponnins and tannins in B. pilosa can justify the molluscicidal and ovicidal effects showed on this study. Studies have reported the molluscicidal activity of these classes of compounds in other snail species (Bezerra et al. 2002Bezerra JCB, Silva IA, Ferreira HD, Ferri PH and Santos SC. 2002. Molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata of Brazilian Cerrado medicinal plants. Fitoterapia 73: 428-430. Short report., Cantanhede et al. 2010, Lemmich et al. 1995Lemmich E, Cornett C, Furu P, Jørstian CL, Knudsen AD, Olsen CE, Salih A and Thiilborg ST. 1995. Molluscicidal saponins from Catunaregam nilotica. Phytochemistry 39(1): 63-68., Lopes et al. 2011Lopes TC, Gonçalves JRS, Souza NS, Moraes DFC, Amaral FMM and Rosa IG. 2011. Avaliação moluscicida e perfil fitoquímico das folhas de Caryocar brasiliense Camb. Cad Pesq, São Luís 18(3): 23-30., Marston and Hostettmann 1985Marston A and Hostettmann R. 1985. Plant molluscicides. Phytochemistry 24: 639-652., Treyvaud et al. 2000Treyvaud V, Marston A, Dyatmiko W and Hostettmann K. 2000. Molluscicidal saponins from Phytolacca icosandra. Phytochemistry 55: 603-609.).

According to Schenkel et al. (2004)Schenkel EP, Gosmann G and Athayde ML. 2004. SAPONINAS. In: SIMÕES CMO, SCHENKEL EP, GOSMANN G, MELLO JCP, MENTZ LA and PETROVICK PR. Farmacognosia da planta ao medicamento, 5a ed., Editora da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 1102 p. the ability of saponins to form complexes with steroids, proteins and membrane phospholipids is responsible for a large number of biological properties, especially the action on cell membranes causing their destruction. These properties can justify their hemolytic effect in snails as was confirmed for B. glabrata by Mendes et al. (1993)Mendes NM, Gomez JD, Araújo N, Zani CL and Katz N. 1993. Ensaios preliminares do Guaiacum officinale L. como moluscicida. Rev Inst Med Tropical, São Paulo 35(6): 509-513..

The exposure of snails to toxic substances can cause a physiological stress leading to a reduction in carbohydrate reserves (Mello-Silva et al. 2006aMello-Silva CC, Lima M, Pinheiro J, Bezerra JCB and Rodrigues MLA. 2006a. Alteraçoes fisiológicas em Biomphalaria glabrata tratadas com extrato bruto de Solanum malacoxylon. Cienc Anim 16(2): 61-70., bMello-Silva CC, Vasconcellos MC, Pinheiro J and Rodrigues MLA. 2006b. Physiological changes in Biomphalaria glabrata Say, 1818 (Pulmonata: Planorbidae) caused by sub-lethal concentrations of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii N.E.B (Euphorbiaceae). Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 101: 3-8.) that starts the use of proteins as a compensatory process (Schmale and Becker 1977Schmale H and Becker W. 1977. Studies on the urea cycle of Biomphalaria glabrata during normal feeding activity, in starvation and with infection of Schistosoma mansoni. Comp Biochem Physiol 58B: 321- 330.). Studies have shown increased levels of proteins and uric acid in the hemolymph of snails exposed to molluscicides, indicating protein degradation as energy source (Mello-Silva et al. 2006aMello-Silva CC, Lima M, Pinheiro J, Bezerra JCB and Rodrigues MLA. 2006a. Alteraçoes fisiológicas em Biomphalaria glabrata tratadas com extrato bruto de Solanum malacoxylon. Cienc Anim 16(2): 61-70.) however proteins may precipitate after complexation becoming unavailable as an energy source, and may cause death by a lack of energy to maintain homeostasis.

Flavonoids may act by inhibiting the detoxification system of the snail. Silva (2007)Silva FR. 2007. Genotoxicidade ocasionada pelas folhas do fumo (Nicotina tabacum) expostos ou não a agrotóxicos, em Cantareus aspersus. Dissertação de Mestrado. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre, RG. Disponível em: http:--www.lume.ufrgs.br-bitstream-handle-10183-10963-000600913.pdf?sequence=1. Acesso em Dezembro de 2011. (Unpublished).
http:--www.lume.ufrgs.br-bitstream-handl...
found changes in the enzyme cytochrome P450 on the land snail Cantareus aspersus (Müller) (Helicidae) exposed to tobacco leaves, Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae). This enzyme is part of a family of proteins that acts in detoxification process degrading various xenobiotics and turning them into easily excreted molecules (Guecheva and Henrique 2003Guecheva TN and Henrique JAP. 2003. Metabolismo de xenobióticos: Citocromo P-450. In: Da Silva J, Erdtmann B and Henriques JAP (Eds), Genética Toxicológica, Editora Alcance, p. 223-247.).

The ineffectiveness of some extracts in snails eggs have been questioned by some authors (Leyton et al. 2005Leyton V, Henderson TO, Mascara D and Kawano T. 2005. Atividade moluscicida de princípios ativos de folhas de Lycopersicon esculentum (Solanales, Solanaceae) em Biomphalaria glabrata (Gastropoda, Planorbidae). Iheringia, Sér Zool, Porto Alegre 95(2): 213-216., Magalhães et al. 2003Magalhães AF, Tozzi AMGA, Santos CC, Serrano DR, Zanotti-Magalhães EM, Magalhães EG and Magalhães LA. 2003. Saponins from Swartzia langsdorffii: Biological Activities. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 98(5): 713-718., Souza et al. 1992Souza CP, Mendens MN, Jannotti-Passos LK and Pereira JP. 1992. O uso da casca da castanha do caju, Anacardium occidentale como moluscicida alternativo. Rev Inst Med Tropical, São Paulo 34(5): 459-466.). According to Lemma and Yau (1974)Lemma A and Yau P. 1974. Studies on the molluscicidal properties of endod (Phytolacca dodecandra), III. Ethiopian Medical J 12: 109-114., the low efficiency of molluscicides in eggs is probably due to their high molecular weights that hinder the passing of the molluscicides trough the membrane that involves the egg. Tough the B. pilosa extract affected the hatchability of S. octona, which suggest that the molecular structure of the active principles of this plant has a more simplified structure that make easy the penetration into the pores of the membrane that involves the embryo. In this way, the B. pilosa extract is promising in the control, because it was efficient in different life stages of this snail, including eggs.

The hatching rates obtained in this study for control group was alike to those found by Bessa and Araújo (1995b)Bessa ECA and Araújo JLB. 1995b. Ocorrência de autofecundação em Subulina octona (Bruguière, 1789) (Pulmonata, Subulinidade) em condições de laboratório. Rev Bras Zool 12(3): 719-723.. According to these authors, the hatches occur between the first and the 15th day after the oviposition, with registered mean viability of the eggs (94.8%) for this snail.

The average mean of hatching in groups exposed for 48 hours was similar to the means found by Ferreira et al. (2009)Ferreira P, Soares GLG, D'ávila S and Bessa ECA. 2009. The influence of caffeine and thymol on the survival, growth and reproduction of Subulina octona (Brugüière, 1789) (Mollusca, Subulinidae). Braz Arch Biol Technol 52 (4): 945-952.. Those authors tested the ovicidal activity of a caffeine solution at 5 g-L in S. octona and obtained an average hatching of 12.5%.

The exposure time influenced the intensity of the effects on different life stages of this species. This result can indicate a stability of these active principles until 48 hours after application indicating the high efficiency of the extract. The negative effect of the B. pilosa extract on growth of newly hatched and 30 day-old snails its an important result for the control of this species, once that the shell length is related to the uterus size and therefore with fecundity (D'ávila and Bessa 2005bD'ávila S and Bessa ECA. 2005b. Influência do substrato sobre a reprodução de Subulina octona ((Brugüière) (Mollusca, Subulinidae), sob condições de laboratório. Rev Bras Zool Curitiba 22(1): 197-204.).

The survivorship curves suggest that the B. pilosa extract caused in the 30 day old snails a delayed effect, indicating a strong residual effect on snails in this life stage, that was not observed in newly hatched snails that presented a fast reaction to its toxic effects. These results demonstrate that there is a difference in the snail response to the molluscicide according to the life stage. Souza et al. (1992)Souza CP, Mendens MN, Jannotti-Passos LK and Pereira JP. 1992. O uso da casca da castanha do caju, Anacardium occidentale como moluscicida alternativo. Rev Inst Med Tropical, São Paulo 34(5): 459-466. verified more sensibility of newly hatched B. glabrata to the extract of Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae). Nascimento (2006)Nascimento CAA, Arévalo E, Afonso-Neto IS, Bessa ECA and Soares GLG. 2006. Efeito do extrato aquoso de folhas de Allamanda cathartica L.(Apocynaceae) sobre Bradybaena similaris (Férussac, 1821) (Mollusca, Bradybaenidae) em condições de laboratório. Rev Bras Zoociênc 8(1): 77-82. verified molluscicidal activity of extracts of Allamanda cathartica L. (Apocynaceae) in newly hatched Bradybaena similaris (Férussac 1821) (Bradybaenidae) while in adults was only checked the repellent action. This distinction can be related to the energy content of individuals at different life stages. During the exposure to molluscicides, the reserves of stored energy can be reduced due to the stress caused, as already verified for B. glabrata (Mello-Silva et al. 2006aMello-Silva CC, Lima M, Pinheiro J, Bezerra JCB and Rodrigues MLA. 2006a. Alteraçoes fisiológicas em Biomphalaria glabrata tratadas com extrato bruto de Solanum malacoxylon. Cienc Anim 16(2): 61-70.,bMello-Silva CC, Vasconcellos MC, Pinheiro J and Rodrigues MLA. 2006b. Physiological changes in Biomphalaria glabrata Say, 1818 (Pulmonata: Planorbidae) caused by sub-lethal concentrations of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii N.E.B (Euphorbiaceae). Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 101: 3-8.), therefore, reducing its energy resources to the future survival.

For an efficient control of this species it is important for a plant molluscicide to be effective in all life stages of the target snail, being active on eggs, juvenile phases and adults. Besides, it has also to fit other demands, such as easy access to the plant, simple handling and preparation of the extracts, be toxic in low concentrations, selective and harmless to humans and to the environment (Ministério da Saúde 2008Ministério da Saúde. 2008. Brasil. Vigilância e Controle de Moluscos de Importância Epidemiológica. Diretrizes técnicas: Programa de Vigilância e Controle da Esquistossomose (PCE). 2a edição, Brasília, 91 p., Mott 1987Mott KE. 1987. Plant Molluscicides, UNDP-World Bank-WHO, J Wiley & Sons, New York, 326 p., Singh et al. 1996Singh A, Singh DK, Mishra TN and Agarwal RA. 1996. Molluscicides of plant origin. Biol Agric Hortic 13: 205-252., WHO 1965).

Thereby, its necessary more comprehensive studies of molluscicidal compounds in plant species of the Brazilian flora directed to land snails, to consolidate this kind of work.

CONCLUSION

The easy access to this plant, allied to the easy preparation and application of this extract and the absence of toxic effects to humans make the aqueous extract of B. pilosa an alternative molluscicide to be applied to control this snail species. Moreover, it is a promising plant for further studies that aim the control of other snail species with epidemiological and agricultural importance.

We thank Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the fellowship.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    11 Oct 2013
  • Date of issue
    2013

History

  • Received
    23 Aug 2012
  • Accepted
    5 Apr 2013
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