Development of natural product Phytolacca dodecandra for the control of schistosomiasis in developing countries : final report

Objectives of the research included the testing of several different ways of obtaining active extracts of the berries of Phyolacca dodecandra (endod), building on the work already accomplished by other researchers, since the discovery in Ethiopia in 1964 of the molluscicidal effect of this berry. Studies of the toxicity of various extracts of the berry were carried out on fish and dogs. A number of suggested objectives for future research, needed further to refine any extraction procedures and to test toxicity for agricultural animals, such as goats, were proposed. The extracts were found to be toxic for fish at very low concentrations, and at much higher concentrations, for dogs. (Author abstract, from PN-ABK-546)