Anti-leech activity of asparagus racemosus and anogeissus latifolia roxb extracts against Piscicola Geometra

Abstract

Piscicola geometra leeches are naturally parasitizing Cobia juveniles. The leeches adhere to cobia by suctioning and biting its surface, thereby facilitating the entry of a secondary infection. The anti-leech action An in vitro technique investigated the anti-leech action against Piscicola geometra using water extracts of Asparagus racemosus seeds and Anogeissus latifolia roxb leaves, preparing a grand total of 800 afflicted cobia leeches. We compared the anti-leech activity of water extracts from Asparagus racemosus seeds and Anogeissus latifolia leaves. We diluted the plant extracts to various concentrations and observed the activity over a duration of 96 hours. The seeds and leaves of Asparagus racemosus exhibited significant anti-leech activity, resulting in 80% of the leeches dying. Anogeissus latifolia leaves exhibited a greater degree of anti-leech action, resulting in the complete killing of leeches. The average duration required for Anogeissus latifolia leaves to immobilise and eliminate the leeches ranged from 8 hours to 96 hours, depending on the different concentrations of Anogeissus latifolia leaves used. This research has shown that the aqueous extract of Anogeissus latifolia leaves has strong potential as a novel anti-leech agent.