Impact of Plant Extracts on Parasitological and Histological Parameters of Albino Mice Infected with Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract

This study elucidates the potential of the plant extract of Phoenix dactylifera and Zingiber officinal plantsin treating Schistosoma mansoni infected mice. The parasitological parameters, worm burden/mouse, number of ova/g tissue in the liver and intestine and the developmental stages of ova in infected treated mice were determined. In addition, glycolytic enzymes,liver function enzymes and histological changes in liver tissues of infected treated mice were studied.The present results showed a significant reduction in the number of worms in groups treated with plant extracts as well as in the number of mature and live ova in the treated group compared to the infected control group. In addition, the present results showed a significant reduction in Lactate dehydrogenase, Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzyme activity in Schistosoma mansoni infected group as compared to the normal, healthy control, while a significant increase was noticed in acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase level and other glycolytic enzymes as compared to the normal healthy control. Moreover, treatment of the infected mice with plant extracts recorded no significant difference in the level of liver function enzymes andall glycolytic enzymes as compared to the normal healthy control. A noticeable remark to the effect of Z. officinal and P. Dactylifera pointed out to that there is no side effects on liver function and all glycolytic enzymes and as compared to the normal, healthy control group. In conclusion, plant extracts can be applied clinically as a prophylactic treatment against schistosomiasis together with the ideal antischistosomal drug praziquantel.