Molluscicidal impacts of some Egyptian plant extracts on protein and DNA-contents of two snail-vectors of schistosomiasis, using electrophoresis

The present work included studies of qualitative and quantitative effects of ethanol extracts from three local plants, namely Euphorbia splendens (Euphorbiaceae), Ziziphus spina-christi (Rhamnaceae) and Ambrosia maritime (Asteraceae) on the protein and DNA-contents of digestive gland of uninfected and infected vectors of schistosomiasis, Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus. The electrophoretic pattern of total protein showed differences in number and molecular weights of protein bands. Furthermore, DNA concentration was investigated by measuring the intensity of the genomic bands that showed an increase in infected and treated target-snails. Degradation of protein and high intensity of DNA after treatment with LC90 of E. splendens, Z. spina-christi and A. maritime extracts introduce these plants as effective molluscicidal agents.