Efficacy of schitozim - a herbal medicine in the treatment of schistosoma mansoni infections in experimentally infected balb/c mice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test and compare the effectiveness of Schitozim against Praziquantel (PZQ). Six treatment groups of mice were tested for the study: 50 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg Schitozim dosages, PZQ, Infected control(IC) and Naïve. Balb/c mice were infected with S. mansoni, treated at week 4 and perfused for worm recovery at week 6. Phytochemical screening of Schitozim revealed the presence of Tannins, Steroids, Flavonoids, Glycosides and Saponins. Worm maturation was 24.4%, and percentages of worm reduction were highest in PZQ (63.93%) and lowest in 150 mg Schotizim dosage (32.79%). The 0-3 hr specific IgG responses were not significantly different among PZQ, IC, 50 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg. SWAP specific IgG responses were not significantly different among PZQ, IC and 300 mg, whereas 50 mg and 150 mg were significantly different from IC. SEA specific IgG responses were not significantly different among PZQ, IC, 150 mg and 300 mg, whereas 50 mg was significantly different from PZQ. Naive group was significantly different from all the other treatment groups (p < 0.05). PZQ had the least cases of liver inflammation and granulomas: 50 mg dosage was most comparable to PZQ. Histopathology results on granulomas showed that PZQ had a low mean whereas IC had the highest: 50 mg was most comparable to PZQ. Cellular reactions in mesenteric lymph nodes were numerous in the 300 mg group and very few in PZQ. Generally, the efficacy of Schitozim was comparable to PZQ in worm reduction, elevation of humoral responses and pathology.