Effect of sublethal concentration of Solanum nigrum on transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase of Biomphalria arabica, in Saudi Arabia.

Schistosomes have a complex lifecycle with freshwater intermediate host snails. The snail host represents the weakest point in the lifecycle of parasite. Biomphalaria arabica is intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni in Saudi Arabia. In this work, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in the tissue homogenate and haemolymph of B. arabica. Besides, the effect of sublethal concentrations (LC25) of dry powdered Solanum nigrum leaf was tested as plant molluscicide against B. arabica. The studied enzymes were altered in molluscicide-treated snails compared to control. AST and ALT were slightly affected but LDH was the most significantly altered enzyme. The role of the biochemical manipulation in affecting host-parasite relationship was discussed.