Effect of Nigella sativa oil on Schistosoma mansoni immature worms in experimentally infected mice

Abstract

Background Nigella sativa oil is one of the promising drugs of a plant origin that have an antischistosomal effect. Aim The aim of the present work was to explore the role of N. sativa oil either alone or in combination with praziquantel on immature worms of Schistosoma mansoni. Materials and methods N. sativa oil capsules dissolved in corn oil were administered to S. mansoni-infected mice aiming to study the therapeutic and prophylactic effects. The study included six groups of mice: (a) noninfected and nontreated, (b) infected and nontreated, (c) prophylactic N. sativa oil group, (d) praziquantel group, (e) therapeutic N. sativa oil group, and (d) combined group. All mice were killed 4 weeks after infection and treatment. The antischistosomal effect of N. sativa oil was assessed by worm burden, histopathology, and scanning electron microscopy. Results Therapeutic N. sativa oil group showed the highest significant decrease in the mean number of immature worm burden (R% was 57%) when given after infection followed by the combined group (R%=55.67%), whereas prophylactic N. sativa oil group showed nonsignificant decrease (R%=37%). The least changes were observed in praziquantel group (R%=0%). Conclusion N. sativa oil has a potent effect on immature S. mansoni which could be helpful for potentiating praziquantel effect and thus reducing development of resistance.