Antischistosomal Research Articles

ANTISCHISTOSOMAL ACTIVITY OF BALANITIES AEGYPTIACA FRUIT AQUEOUS EXTRACT AGAINST SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI INFECTED MICE

This study aims to evaluate the anthelminthic effect of Balanities aegyptiaca fruit aqueous extract against Schistosoma mansoniin vivo. Parasitological aspects were determined to evaluate the antischistosomal activity of B. aegyptiaca. In addition, tegumental surface topography alterations of S. mansoni adult male worms were noticed via scanning electron microscopic (SEM) investigation after treatment the infected mice orally with 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) B. aegyptiaca alone or combined with 300 mg/kg BW Praziquantel (PZQ). Results showed that treatment of S. mansoni infected mice with B. aegyptiaca, PZQ, or in combination led to a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the weight of liver and intestine as compared with those of S. mansoni-infected mice. Meanwhile, administration of the B. aegyptiaca, PZQ, or in combination decreased significantly (P<0.05) the total worm burden and ova count/g in hepatic and intestinal tissue. B. aegyptiaca and/or PZQ showed a remarkable effect on the oogram pattern in liver and intestine, where the immature and mature eggs were significantly decreased (P<0.05); whereas, dead eggs were significantly increased (P<0.05). The electron microscopy observation exhibited swelling, vacuolization, fusion of the tegumental folds, and loss or shortening of the spines on the tubercles, erosion, cracks and peeling of S. mansoni adult male worm after treatment with B. aegyptiaca and/or PZQ. This study revealed that B. aegyptiaca has a remarkable antischistosomal activity through deteriorating action on the adult worm evidenced by scanning electron microscopy.

Assessment of Echinacea purpurea and mefloquine in treatment of Schistosoma mansoni

Objective To assess the effect of combined Echinacea purpurea (EP) and mefloquine (MQ) in the treatment of experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection. Background Schistosomiasis is a prevalent parasitic disease in tropical and subtropical areas caused by the flatworm S. mansoni. Several medications are used in the treatment of schistosomiasis. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice because of its safety and broad-spectrum activity. Materials and methods The current study was carried out on 120 laboratory-bred Swiss albino female mice. They were classified into six groups: group I (control), group II (PZQ treated), group III (MQ treated), group IV (EP treated), group V (PZQ and EP), and group VI (MQ and EP). Evaluation was done parasitologically using the worm count technique, ova count technique in intestine and liver, and oogram pattern and histopathological examination of liver sections for assessment of granuloma size and diameter. Moreover, electron microscopic changes of the adult worms were evaluated. Results The highest worm burden reduction of male (79.41%), female (82.28%), couples (86.6%), and total (92%) worms was obtained in the combined MQ and EP treated group. The highest reduction in the mean number of ova count/g tissue in either the intestine (93%) or the liver (89%) was detected in MQ and EP treated group. In combined treated groups, the highest percentage of reduction in the immature and mature eggs was detected in the group MQ and EP; it was 9.16 ± 4.11 and 5.25 ± 2.56, respectively. Moreover, there was an increase in the percentage of dead eggs (85.58 ± 6.43). The highest reductions in hepatic granuloma diameter and number were seen in the combination of MQ and EP at 67 and 85%, respectively (P Conclusion MQ has effective schistosomicidal properties through reduction of worm burden and tissue egg load. Moreover, EP extract showed promising antischistosomal activity on S. mansoni-infected mice. It is recommended to study the exact mechanism of action of EP on S. mansoni and its possible effects on other parasitic infections.

Praziquantel derivatives exhibit activity against both juvenile and adult Schistosoma japonicum

A praziquantel analog 10-hydroxy praziquantel and eight praziquantel/peroxide conjugates were synthesized. The biological activity of these compounds was evaluated against juvenile and adult stages of Schistosoma japonicum. Unlike praziquantel, 10-hydroxy praziquantel exhibits activity against both juvenile and adult Schistosoma japonicumin. All hybrid compounds displayed modest to significant worm killing activity. The present study has important significance for the development of hybrid antischistosomal drugs.