Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Menthol and Menthone in Schistosoma mansoni Infection

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by several species of trematode worms and it is believed that more than 261 million people are affected worldwide. New drug development has become essential because there is a risk of the parasite becoming resistant to Praziquantel, the only drug available for this infection. This study evaluated parasitological, immunological and histological parameters in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and treated with an herbal commercial medicine. This drug consists of menthol (30–55%) and menthone (14–32%). A 60 day treatment regimen with the herbal medicine decreased the number of S. mansoni eggs in the feces, liver, and intestine and reduced the number of hepatic granulomas. We observed a reduction of 84% in blood eosinophilia and a decrease in the IL-4 and IL-10 blood levels after treatment. Therefore, we propose that schistosomiasis treatment with this herbal medicine for 60 days has an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory action in this animal model for schistosomiasis thus contributing to the decrease in physio pathological effects caused by S. mansoni infection.

Effect of Crocus sativus aqueous extract (saffron) on Schistosoma mansoni worms in experimentally infected mice

“…IL-10 undoubtedly plays a key role in controlling infection (Coutinho et al, 2010). The same results were reported in several studies on different experimental animals (El-Sisi et al, 2011;Zaia et al, 2016). In the current study, infected mice treated with PZQ showed an increase in the level of IL-10.…”

FTIR Spectroscopic Analysis of Mentha spicata L. (Garden Mint)

“…It shares important biological activities of other mint herbs members like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer. These activities are attributed to the presence of total phenol terpenoids and flavonoids content [3][4][5][6][7]. Niture et al studied the alterations in O-6-methyl guanine DNA methyl transferase (MGMT) activities of the water soluble and alcohol soluble constituents of closely related specie of spear mint (M. viridis) in human peripheral blood lymphocyte and cancer cell Lins [8].…”

Phytochemical Characterization of Mentha spicata L. Under Differential Dried-Conditions and Associated Nephrotoxicity Screening of Main Compound With Organ-on-a-Chip

“…Commonly, the fresh leaves are used as a raw vegetable or flavoring herb, whereas the dried leaves are traditionally used for herbal tea or medicine. Mint herbs have been reported to possess several biological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities ( Tang et al, 2016 ; Zaia et al, 2016 ; Wang et al, 2018 ). These biological activities of spearmint are significantly correlated with their total phenol flavonoid content ( Manosroi et al, 2006 ; Santos et al, 2014 ).…”