Molluscicide Effect of Sapindus saponaria Fruit on Galba cubensis, an Intermediate Host of Fasciolosis in Cuba

Galba cubensis is the main intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica in Cuba. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the molluscicide effect of Sapindus saponaria L. on Galba cubensis in laboratory conditions, in order to recommend this plant for ecological control of this snail. Different concentrations of the hydroalcoholic extract of six-month old S. saponaria pericarp were tested on G. cubensis individuals, based on the methodology of the World Health Organization. The concentration gradient was used to determine LC50 and LC90, which then were tested to estimate the heartbeat frequency of these mollusks. The molluscicide effect of the plant extract was considerable (P≤0.01; R2=60.6), with concentration-dependent mortality and a drop of heartbeat frequency. Significant differences were observed between LC50=39.8 mg/L and LC90=67.9mg/L, in the test to lower heartbeat frequency (P≤0.01), and between LC90 and the control group (P≤0.01), but not between the control group and LC50 and (P=0.24). Molluscicide activity in the plant material was still present after six months of application, which was an important fact to recommend this plant as a candidate to control intermediate hosts of Fasciolosis in our region.