Evaluation of the Molluscicidal Effects of Thymus vulgaris and Syzygium aromaticum Oils via Contact and Bait Methods on Monacha cartusiana Snails with Special Emphasize on Neurotoxical, Biochemical, Histopathological and Endocrine Disrupting

Monacha cartusiana is considered one of the important pests in agriculture and public health sectors. So, its management is critical to global food security. The purpose of this study was to look at the toxicity of Thymus vulgaris (thyme) and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) oil by bait and contact technique.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine the essential oil’s components. the LC₅₀ of oils via bait and contact testing were determined in the laboratory experiment. Moreover, the molluscicidal activity following the exposure of snails to LC₅₀ were evaluated through using snail soft tissues.

The GC-MS analysis depicted that Thymol (33.89%) and eugenol (32.82%) was the major constituent present in the oils. both oils have ovicidal activity causing complete inhibition of eggs hatchability. Compared to control, the oils showed perturbations in antioxidant/oxidant biomarker, where reduced glutathione significantly decrease and lipid peroxidation increased. Concerning energy reserves biomarker, total lipid level significantly elevated in oils treated snails, While the total protein significantly decreased, Moreover, metabolic enzyme alkaline phosphatase was markedly augmentation. Both oils at the tested doses caused a significant inhibition in acetyl choline esterase activity and downregulation in 17β-estradiol and testosterone hormones. Also, snail digestive glands and ovotestis showed pathological alterations after essential oil exposure. In field application, thyme, clove and binary mixture caused significant reduction in M. cartusiana population by bait assay. Our findings emphasis thyme and clove oil’s potential as an effective biorational molluscicide against pestiferous snails as an alternative to chemocentric management.