Comparative Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity of Edible and Ornamental Pomegranate Ethanolic Extracts against Schistosoma mansoni

Biomed Res Int. 2016:2016:2872708. doi: 10.1155/2016/2872708. Epub 2016 Nov 21.

Abstract

Due to the development of praziquantel (PZQ) schistosomes resistant strains, the discovery of new antischistosomal agents is of high priority in research. This work reported the in vitro and in vivo effects of the edible and ornamental pomegranate extracts against Schistosoma mansoni. Leaves and stem bark ethanolic extracts of both dried pomegranates were prepared at 100, 300, and 500 μg/mL for in vitro and 600 and 800 mg/kg for in vivo. Adult worms Schistosoma mansoni in RPMI-1640 medium for in vitro and S. mansoni infected mice for in vivo tests were obtained from Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt. In vitro activity was manifested by significant coupled worms separation, reduction of motor activity, lethality, and ultrastructural tegumental alterations in adult worms. In vivo activity was manifested revealed by significant reduction of hepatic granulomas number and diameter, decreased number of bilharzial eggs in liver tissues, lowered liver inflammatory infiltration, decreased hepatic fibrosis, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Ethanolic stem bark extract of edible pomegranate exhibited highest antischistosomal activities both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, pomegranate showed a good potential to be used as a promising new candidate for the development of new schistosomicidal agents.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / administration & dosage
  • Anthelmintics / pharmacology*
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Endotoxins / biosynthesis
  • Ethanol / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Lythraceae / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Stems / chemistry
  • Schistosoma mansoni / drug effects*
  • Schistosoma mansoni / enzymology
  • Schistosoma mansoni / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Endotoxins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Ethanol
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II