Efficacy of aqueous and methanol extracts of Randia nilotica against Migrating juvenile of Schistosoma mansoni in comparison with Praziquantel in Mice

Abstract

Introduction:Schistosomiasis is an important parasitic disease in the tropics. Praziquantel is unable to treat the migrating juvenile which stressed the need for new drugs. Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of a plant (Randia nilotica) used traditionally to treat migrating juvenile form of schistosoma mansoni. Methods:Sets of experiments were carried out using both aqueous and methanol extracts of R. nilotica and Praziquantel drug to evaluate their efficacy against migrating schistosomulae by different routes of administration and regimens. First group given was 1 ml of 10 000 ppm of aqueous extract orally and intrapratonially from day 2-8 post infection. Second group was given three doses of 1 ml of 500 ppm of methanol extract on day 7, 21 and 35 after infection. The third group of mice was given 7 doses of Praziquantel at 60 mg /kg orally from day 2-8 post infection. Results:It resulted in significant reduction in total worm burden at 50% and 73% respectively. The size of worms was very small. Obvious reduction result in mean eggs counts in liver and intestine per mouse in first group. The total worm burden reduction was 83% but the worms were normal, very active (high motility rate) and no dead worms in second group. The third group of mice, showed non significant reduction in total worm burden which was (29%).The worms were normal, very active. Conclusion:We concluded that the aqueous extract of R. nilotica is highly effective against immature worms of S. mansoni.