Ceratonia siliqua pod extract ameliorates Schistosoma mansoni-induced liver fibrosis and oxidative stress

Abstract

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a prevalent parasitic disease found predominantly in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the developing world, with the second highest socioeconomic and public health burden despite strenuous control efforts. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of Ceratonia siliqua pod extract (CPE) on liver fibrosis and oxidative stress in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni.MethodsThe schistosomal hepatopathologic mouse model was established by tail immersion with schistosomal cercaria. The extract was given daily for 10 days beginning 42 days post-infection. Liver samples were obtained from mice sacrificed 9 weeks after infection. Liver histopathological changes were observed with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome staining.ResultsTypical schistosomal hepatopathologic changes were induced in the untreated mice. However, the oral administration of CPE was effective in reducing worm number and the egg load in the liver. This treatment also decreased granuloma size and collagen deposition by inhibiting tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) expression. Schistosomal infection induced oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitrite/nitrate (nitric oxide; NO) production along with concomitant decreases in glutathione (GSH) and various antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. However, treatment of mice with CPE at 300 or 600 mg/kg inhibited LPO and NO production, increased GSH content, and restored the activities of the antioxidant enzymes compared with untreated infected mice. Furthermore, treatment with CPE inhibited apoptosis, as indicated by the reduced Bax expression in hepatic tissue.ConclusionThese data indicated that extracts from Ceratonia siliqua pods may play an important role in combating schistosomal hepatopathology and may inhibit granuloma formation and liver fibrosis through down-regulation of TIMP-2 expression.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1389-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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

“…The present study showed an increase in NO in S. mansoni infected mice as compared to healthy control. This result comes in agreement with Al-Olayan et al (2016) who reported that Schistosomiasis caused a significant increase in the liver levels of LPO and NO compared with the control group. Also, the present study illustrated that S. mansoni infected mice treated with PZQ alone or combined with CSE recorded significant increase in NO level in comparison with infected control mice.…”

A novel green approach for the treatment of immature Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice with; Arabic gum (Acacia senegal); an antischistosomal agent

“…Also, it might be attributed to the antioxidant properties of AG in many tissues like renal tissue (Gado et al, 2013), RBCs in sickle cell anemia (SCA) disease (Kaddam et al, 2015) and hepatic tissue as mentioned by Ahmed et al (2015) who stated that AG significantly decreased the level of hepatic enzymes, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes as well as the expression of oxidative stress genes. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx),which may contribute to the alleviation of S. mansoni infection consequences similar to what has been reported in many other antioxidants like gold nanoparticles Ceratonia siliqua pod extract (Al-Olayan et al, 2016), limonin (Soliman et al, 2017). Another theoretically potential mechanism of AG action relies on the fact that its administration enhances butyric acid production in the bowel and hence raising its serum concentration (Matsumoto et al, 2006).…”

A novel green approach for treatment of immature Schistosomiasis Mansoni infection in mice; Arabic gum (Acacia Senegal) antischistosomal properties

“…Also, it might be attributed to the antioxidant properties of AG in many tissues like renal tissue [16], RBCs in sickle cell anemia (SCA) disease [19] and hepatic tissue as mentioned by Ahmed et al, [45] who stated that AG significantly decreased the level of hepatic enzymes, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes as well as the expression of oxidative stress genes. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), which may contribute to the alleviation of Schistosoma mansoni infection consequences similar to what has been reported in many other antioxidants like gold nanoparticles Ceratonia siliqua pod extract [46], limonin [47]. Another theoretically potential mechanism of AG action relies on the fact that its administration enhances butyric acid production in the bowel and hence rising its serum concentration [13].…”