Laboratory assessment of divaricatic acid against Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

Abstract In this study, the molluscicidal and antiparasitic activities of divaricatic acid was evaluated, targeting the mollusc Biomphalaria glabrata and cercariae of the helminth Schistosoma mansoni . In addition, the environmental toxicity of divaricatic acid was assessed by bioassay using the microcrustacean Artemia salina . Divaricatic acid showed high toxicity against both adult snails (5 μg/mL) and embryos (20 μg/mL after 6 h of exposure). Similar activity was observed in Schistosoma mansoni cercariae after only a short exposure time (10 μg/mL after 30 min of exposure). The divaricatic acid did not show toxicity in the acute test using Artemia salina at concentrations equal to or below 200 μg/mL. The divaricatic acid proved to be a promising substance for the elimination of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata , an intermediate host of schistosomiasis, as well as the cercariae of the pathogen, while being non-toxic to the Artemia salina at the same concentrations. This is the first experimental observation of the molluscicidal and cercaricide activity of divaricatic acid.