Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease that affects approximately 200 million people worldwide. In order to reduce the parasite prevalence, further researches aiming new treatment methods is necessary. Once infected by Shistossoma mansoni, one can have no symptoms in the acute phase, however, chronic phase is characterized by marked egg-induced hepatic granulomatous inflammation. To prevent the disease, the main prophylactic method is environmental sanitation which decreases the entrance of eggs into water bodies. In addition to fighting the snail, treatment of population is important. Currently, for treatment of schistosomisasis, the most used drugs are Praziquantel (PZQ) and Oxamniquine, whereas PZQ is the drug of choice. Each drug has a specific mechanism of action aimed at the elimination of the parasite. However, any parasite treatment based on the use of a single drug poses serious concerns regarding the onset of resistance. The search for new therapeutic agents derived from medicinal plants for schistosomiasis has progressed significantly in the last decade. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated survey on medicinal plants that have significant therapeutic effects in animal models of schistosomiasis. A considerable number of herbal constituents with schistosomicidal effect have been well characterized and may be good candidates for prospective studies and investigations that may result in clinical usage. Key words: Schistosoma mansoni, schistosomicidal, medicinal plants.
Highlights
Journal of Medicinal Plants ResearchMedicinal plants and their bioactive constituents: A review of bioactivity against Schistosoma mansoni
Parasitic diseases represent a serious public health problem in many parts of the world, in many developing countries, reflecting the social and economic situation of these countries (Urbani et al, 2003)
Schistosomicidal activity of crude aqueous extract of ginger against S. mansoni was investigated by Mostafa et al (2011) who observed that parasitic load and egg density in the liver and feces of mice treated with ginger were smaller than their counterparts
Summary
Medicinal plants and their bioactive constituents: A review of bioactivity against Schistosoma mansoni. In order to reduce the parasite prevalence, further researches aiming new treatment methods is necessary. The main prophylactic method is environmental sanitation which decreases the entrance of eggs into water bodies. Each drug has a specific mechanism of action aimed at the elimination of the parasite. Any parasite treatment based on the use of a single drug poses serious concerns regarding the onset of resistance. The search for new therapeutic agents derived from medicinal plants for schistosomiasis has progressed significantly in the last decade. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated survey on medicinal plants that have significant therapeutic effects in animal models of schistosomiasis.
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