Abstract
BackgroundSchistosomiasis is an acute and chronic zoonotic parasitic disease caused by trematode worms. The host inflammatory response to schistosome eggs leads to perioval granulomata formation, mainly in the liver and intestine. This study investigated the potential antischistosomal and anti-inflammatory activity of both garlic extract and allicin on liver fibrotic markers in BALB/c mice with schistosomiasis (S. mansoni infection) compared with that of the commonly used drug, praziquantel (PZQ).MethodsIn this study, 140 female BALB/c mice (7-weeks old) were divided into seven groups with 20 mice each. Six groups were infected with S. mansoni cercariae and treated with garlic, allicin, or PZQ. The seventh group was the negative control. Twenty-four hours after the final treatment, the mice were euthanised and perfused for worm recovery. The liver and intestines were harvested for parasitological and histological assessment and to analyse the proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression.ResultsProphylactic administration of garlic and allicin to the infected mice significantly reduced the worm burden. Serum concentrations of liver fibrosis markers and proinflammatory cytokines were also reduced. PZQ was the most efficacious for reduction in the number of worms. These results are similar to those normally obtained using PZQ.ConclusionsCrushed garlic homogenate and allicin are potential complementary treatments that may be used with PZQ.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic zoonotic parasitic disease caused by trematode worms
Seventy-eight countries are considered endemic for schistosomiasis, and 258 million people required preventive chemotherapy in 2014
Its efficacy against endoparasites may be associated with the action of herbal plant agents or the stimulation of a high rate of food passage into the gastrointestinal tract cause by the oil contained in this phytotherapy
Summary
Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic zoonotic parasitic disease caused by trematode worms. This study investigated the potential antischistosomal and anti-inflammatory activity of both garlic extract and allicin on liver fibrotic markers in BALB/c mice with schistosomiasis (S. mansoni infection) compared with that of the commonly used drug, praziquantel (PZQ). Schistosomiasis is one of 17 top priority neglected tropical diseases recognised by the World Health Organization [1] It is caused by blood flukes belonging to the genus Schistosoma and is a chronic illness common in humans living in underdeveloped tropical and subtropical countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America [2]. The improvement and advancement of potential alternatives for controlling schistosomiasis has been delayed [14] Both garlic and Nigella sativa have promising antischistosomal activities [15]. This study evaluated the potential antischistosomal and antiinflammatory activity of raw garlic and the garlic supplement allicin in a trial to determine its effectiveness compared to PZQ in reducing pathological changes caused by S. mansoni infections
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