Assessment of toxicity of Moringa oleifera flower extract to Biomphalaria glabrata, Schistosoma mansoni and Artemia salina

- M. oleifera flower extract delayed the development of B. glabrata embryos.
- The extract promoted mortality of adult snails (LC50: 2.37 ± 0.5 mg mL−1).
- Embryos generated by snails exposed to the extract were also affected.
- The extract was active even after exposure to tropical environmental conditions.
- Unrestricted use of extract should be avoided due to its toxicity to A. salina.

This study reports the effect of an aqueous extract from Moringa oleifera Lam. flowers on Biomphalaria glabrata embryos and adults and on Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. The extract contains tannins, saponins, flavones, flavonols, xanthones, and trypsin inhibitor activity. The toxicity of the extract on Artemia salina larvae was also investigated to determine the safety of its use for schistosomiasis control. After incubation for 24 h, the flower extract significantly (p < 0.05) delayed the development of B. glabrata embryos and promoted mortality of adult snails (LC50: 2.37 ± 0.5 mg mL−1). Furthermore, treatment with the extract disrupted the development of embryos generated by snails, with most of them remaining in the blastula stage while control embryos were already in the gastrula stage. Flower extract killed A. salina larvae with a LC50 value (0.2 ± 0.015 mg mL−1) lower than that determined for snails. A small reduction (17%) in molluscicidal activity was detected when flower extract (2.37 mg mL−1) was exposed to tropical environmental conditions (UVI index ranging from 1 to 14, temperature from 25 to 30 °C, and 65% relative humidity). Toxicity to A. salina was also reduced (LC50 value of 0.28 ± 0.01 mg mL−1). In conclusion, M. oleifera flower extract had deleterious effects on B. glabrata adults and embryos. However, unrestricted use to control schistosomiasis should be avoided due to the toxicity of this extract on A. salina.