Barbatic Acid Offers a New Possibility for Control of Biomphalaria Glabrata and Schistosomiasis

Abstract

This study evaluated the biological activity of an ether extract and barbatic acid (BAR) from <i>Cladia aggregata</i> on embryos and adult mollusks of <i>Biomphalaria glabrata</i>, cercariae of <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> and the microcrustacean <i>Artemia salina</i>. The ether extract and BAR were obtained by successive extractions with diethyl ether. The obtained extracts were analyzed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the ether extract exerted embryotoxic effects at 50 and 100 µg/mL and molluscicidal effects at 20 and 25 µg/mL. BAR exhibited no embryotoxicity, and its molluscicidal concentration was equal to that of the ether extract. However, after 60 min of exposure, 1 µg/mL BAR presented cercaricidal activity against the parasite <i>S. mansoni</i> at the second larval stage. Neither substance induced toxicity against <i>A. salina</i>. These results indicate the potential molluscicidal activities of the ether extract and BAR against <i>B. glabrata</i> and <i>S. mansoni</i> cercariae. In addition to these effects, there was a lack of toxicity against the aquatic environment and no damage to the biota, indicating the potential of these products for large-scale control and/or eradication of schistosomiasis.