Botanical Products in the Treatment and Control of Schistosomiasis: Recent Studies and Distribution of Active Plant Resources According to Affected Regions

Abstract

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma, is the second most prevalent parasitic disease in the world. It affects around 200 million people. Clinical treatment, prophylaxis, and prevention are performed in countries susceptible to schistosomiasis. In the pharmacological treatment for an acute form of schistosomiasis, the use of antiparasitics, mainly praziquantel, is more common. As an alternative way, prevention methods such as reducing the population of intermediate hosts (mollusks) with molluscicides are important in the control of this disease by interrupting the biological cycle of this etiological parasite. Despite the importance of pharmacological agents and molluscicides, they have side effects and environmental toxicity. In addition, they can lead to the development of resistance enhancing of parasites, and lead to the search for new and effective drugs, including resources of vegetal origin, which in turn, are abundant in the affected countries. Thus, the purpose of this review is to summarize recent studies on botanical products with potential for the control of schistosomiasis, including anti-Schistosoma and molluscicide activities. In addition, species and plant derivatives according to their origin or geographical importance indicating a possible utility of local resources for countries most affected by the disease are presented.

Efficacy of a Dietary Polyherbal Formula on the Performance and Gut Health in Broiler Chicks after Experimental Infection with Eimeria spp.

“…Herbal extracts have been known to be effective against parasites, such as Plasmodium spp. [34], Schistosoma mansoni [35,36], Toxoplasma gondii [37], and helminths [38]. Allen et al [39] found that dried leaves of Artemisia annua provided significant protection against lesions due to E. tenella infection.…”

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Urinary Tract Infections among Diabetic Patients: A Study at Kiryandongo Hospital, Uganda

“…In Africa, there is a gross change in people's lifestyles, tending more toward a westernized form of living. This has resulted in many cases of diabetes being recorded in young adults, from an estimated 35 million to 48 million from 2012 to 2017, and the target population for UTI is expanding due to the increasing diabetic cases across the continent [5,6]. A study done in sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 found that pathogens causing UTI in diabetic patients tend to be more resistant to administered antibiotics than pathogens causing UTI in non-diabetic patients [7].…”

In Vitro Antischistosomal Activity of Bridelia ferruginea, Clausena anisata, Khaya senegalensis, and Vernonia amygdalina

“…Vernonia extract has been studied for its molluscicidal properties against the mollusc intermediary host of schistosoma and other pathogenic worms as a method of schistosomiasis control. According to reports, adult Biomphalaria pfeiferi is toxic to the plant's hydrophilic extracts [26].…”