Potential effect of Allium cepa and Allium sativum on haemolymph of Biomphalaria alexandrina, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni.

Biomphalaria alexandrina were fed on either Allium cepa or A. sativum to study their effects on some biochemical parameters such as total proteins, free amino acids and liver enzymes (ALT, ALP and AST) on egg laying activity of the snails. The results revealed that ALP was highly significantly reduced in haemolymph of snails that fed on either Allium cepa or A. sativum. Also, ALT and AST were highly significantly reduced in haemolymph of snails that were fed on A. cepa while those fed on A. sativum showed no change in ALT activity and a high significant increase in AST activity. Total proteins were significantly decreased in haemolymph of all treated snails whereas variations in free amino acids contents were also observed. The reproductive activity of snails fed on either Allium cepa or A. sativum was highly affected. In addition, growth rate of newly hatched snails fed on either A. cepa or A. sativum was affected. Exposure of snails to water containing either A. cepa or A. sativum caused snail toxicity which may result from alterations in the snails' habitat.