in vitro studies of schistosomicidal potency of Nigella sativa seeds against Schistosoma mansoni different stages

The schistosomicidal properties of Nigella sativa seeds were tested in vitro against Schistosoma mansoni miracidia, cercariae and adult worms. Results indicate its strong biocidal effects against all stages of the parasite and also showed an inhibitory effect on egg-laying of adult female worms. The present work was extented to study the effects of crushed seeds on some antioxidant enzymes; which have a role in protection of adult worms against host oxidant killing; as well as some enzymes of glucose metabolism; which have a crucial role in the survival of adult worms inside their hosts. The data revealed that the used drug induce an oxidative stress against adult worms which indicated by a decrease in the activities of both antioxidant enzymes, [superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPX] and glutathione reductase [GR]], and enzymes of glucose metabolism, [hexokinase [HK] and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G-6- P.DH]]. Disturbing of such enzymes of adult worms using N. sativa seeds could in turn render the parasite vulnerable to damage by the host and may play a role in the antischistosomal potency of the used drug

effects of Pulicaria crispa and citharexylum quadrangular Jacq extracts on some biochemical parameters in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice

The endocrine, central and immune systems could be stimulated either by the host's endogenous composition for instance infection with Schistosoma mansoni parasites or by exogenous substances from various sources [chemicals, radiation temperature,...]. These stimulatory substances may be obtained from some natural plants. From this point of view, the aim of the present work is to investigate the effects of the methanolic extracts of Pulicaria crispa and Citharexylum quadrangular Jacq on certain female sex steroid hormones namely progesterone and 17beta- estradiol, on the humoral immune response [IgM], on acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity and on glucose concentration in female mice before and after infection with Schistosoma mansoni parasites. Mice were injected subcutaneously by P. crispa and C quadrangular extracts at doses of 0.33 micro g and 0.13 micro g per mouse respectively for 10 days. Each treated mouse was then infected with 80 cercariae of S. mansoni. Progesterone and 17 beta estradiol were determined in ovaries of mice by using radioimmunoassy method, IgM level was measured in serum of mice by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and acetylcholinesterase activity and glucose concentration were determined spectrophotometerically in brains of mice. Results showed that progesterone and estradiol were increased significantly by treatment with both extracts, but progesterone only decreased after infection, and they returned to nearly their normal levels by treatment following infection. IgM level was increased significantly in the two extracts-given mice as compared to normal control group. As well as IgM level was increased but not significantly in P. crispa and there was no change in C. quadrangular-treated mice followed by infection with S. mansoni as compared with S. mansoni infected mice. The results showed that the two plant extracts have no effect on acetyleholinesterase activity in brain but the enzyme activity decreased under the effect of infection, also glucose concentration was decreased after infection. In conclusion, our results suggest that the present two plants extracts can ameliorate the severe effects of schistosomiasis which is obvious for female sex steroid hormones only the methanolic extracts of P. crispa and C. quadrangular have an immunornodulatory and prophylactic effects by stimulating IgM response as measured against SWAP before and after infection with S. mansoni