Immunostimulants have the ability to reduce susceptibility to different infections and to enhance the overall health. This study assessed the effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Lonicera japonica, Chinese herbs, on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails' susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni infection and their consequences on certain biochemical parameters of these snails, promising for novel S. mansoni control approach. Four snails groups each included 50 snails; G1: was infected control, G2: was fed on 0.1% Astragalus extract, G3: was fed on 0.1% Lonicera extract and G4: was fed 0.1% Astragalus extract and 0.1% Lonicera extract. Snails were fed on immunostimmulants for 7 days then exposed to S. mansoni miracidia. The snails' survival rate significantly increased with decreased infection rate in groups exposed to a combination of both herbs with significant suppression in the cercarial production/infected snail in all treated groups compared to control group. A significant increase in the total hemocytic count, glucose and total protein content in soft tissues in all treated groups compared to the control group. Moreover, there was a significant increase of hemolymph total lipid and a significant decrease in aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in snails groups treated with herbs compared to control group. A. membranaceus and L. japonica improved B. alexandrina' resistance to schistosomiasis mansoni as a novel control. |
