ABSTRACT
Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease in the world after malaria and is caused by the Schistosoma, genus of fluke. The pathophysiology of schistosomiasis is due to the immune response against the schistosome eggs. The clinical manifestations depend on the species of parasite, intensity of worm burden, and immunity of the person to the parasite. Many trials were done for production of vaccine against infection of shistosomiasis and many efforts were spent to prevent infection, but the rate of new cases is still high. On the other hand, we need a methed to prevent or at least decrease the inflammatory reaction caused by schistosomiasis. This study aimed to the evaluation of possible protective effect of anti-oxidant beta-carotene on S.mansoni infected mice or decrease the inflammatory reaction caused by schistosomiasis. Sixty mice were included in this study and they were divided into 4 groups, every group is 15 mice: Group [1]: [treated infected group]; Group [2]: [treated noninfected group]; Group [3]: [infected group] and Group [4]: [normal control]. The results: b-carotene reduced worm burden to about 20%. Beta-carotene significantly reduced hepatic and intestinal tissue egg load with a reduction percentage of 26% and 18% respectively. Beta-carotene normalized the serum enzyme AST that were elevated by schistosomal infection. Beta-carotene did not significantly change serum proteins both in infected and non infected animals. Beta-carotene exerted immunomodulatory effects on inflammatory reaction of hepatic schistosoma reflected as significant reduction in mean cellular infiltration diameter, more circumscription and less inflammatory cellular content, as well as more inflammatory reaction changes in schistosomal ova. We recommended further studies to judge the protective efficacy of beta-carotene through histological study of animal skin and to judge its therapeutic efficacy if administered adjuvant with antibilharzial therapy