Does Cleome droserifolia have anti-schistosomiasis mansoni activity?

Abstract

SUMMARYThe present study was undertaken to assess the effect of the crude extract of Cleome droserifolia (CD) leaves on experimentally infected mice with Schistosoma mansoni. Two groups of mice, showing a patent infection of S. mansoni, one of them was daily treated with an alcoholic extract of CD leaves (0.31 g kg -1 body weight, i.p.) for 21 days. The schistosomicidal activity of the CD extract was evaluated, three weeks post-treatment, on some parasitological and histopathological aspects including worm load, oogram pattern, faecal eggs releasing and granuloma formation. In addition, serum thyroid hormones levels (tri-iodothyronine; T 3 and tetra-iodo-thyronin; T 4 ), serum total protein contents and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) were evaluated. Treatment using CD extract resulted in a weak reduction in worm burden (32.46%) and affected the viability of both mature and immature eggs as indicated by the increase in the percentage of dead eggs and the decrease in the percentage of live ones. In addition, a week posttreatment, eggs elimination was observed in the stool of the infected-treated group which was low compared to the infected group. There was a suppressive effect of the extract on granuloma formation that could be due to the antioxidant effect of the extract. These data are confirmed by increasing hepatic GSH, serum total proteins and thyroid hormone levels in the infected-treated group as compared to the infected group. Treatment significantly enhanced β globulin fractions of the protein. Based on these assumptions, CD extract has beneficial effects on thyroid hormones status and anti-schistosomiasis activity. The beneficial effects of CD extract could be related to its direct effects on the parasite, and secondary to its effect on the antioxidant capacity of the host. The present study could emphasize the precise mechanism (s) of CD extract protection.

Chromatographic Fingerprint Analysis and Effects of the Medicinal Plant SpeciesMitracarpus frigiduson AdultSchistosoma mansoniWorms

“…There are relatively few reports in the literature that show in vivo schistosomicidal activity of plant extracts [35, 36]. For example, artemether, an artemisinin derivative, used as a prophylactic agent against schistosomiasis japonica in China, at a concentration of 400 mg/kg, was able to reduce 60% of total worms during six days of treatment, in an experimental model [34].…”

“…For example, artemether, an artemisinin derivative, used as a prophylactic agent against schistosomiasis japonica in China, at a concentration of 400 mg/kg, was able to reduce 60% of total worms during six days of treatment, in an experimental model [34]. El-Shenawy et al [36] demonstrated that an alcoholic extract of Cleome droserifolia (Forssk.) Del.…”

“…On the other hand, the treated and infected mice (Groups F, G, and H) presented a protein content much lower than the noninfected groups. A decrease in total serum protein in the infected animals is attributed to the liver damage caused by infection [36, 38]. …”

Levels of oxidative stress markers: correlation with hepatic function and worm burden patients with schistosomiasis

“…Moreover, it has been reported that schistosomiasis causes an impairment of liver GSH content. As a consequence, the antioxidant capacity of the liver decreases, leading to the generation of lipid peroxides that may play a pivotal role in the pathology associated with schistosomiasis (El-Shenawy et al 2006).…”

“…At the same time, the GSH may be required in order to protect the organism of free radicals formed around the eggs. Thus, glutathione is consumed, justifying the reduced levels found (El-Shenawy et al 2006).…”