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

Topographical alterations and increased antigenic exposure at the outer tegumental surface of schistosoma mansoni adult worms as a consequence of praziquantel treatment and UV -irradiation [in vitro]

Schistosoma mansoni adult worms harvested from Swiss albino mice infected with 200 cercariae/mouse, seven weeks post infection was subjected to UV-irradiation and praziquantel [PZQ] treatment. Treated worms were processed for scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy and immunofluorescence technique. Results demonstrated that in vitro PZQ-treatment or UV-irradiation induced severe surface tegumental damage, disruption, and corrugation of tubercle spaces. Regression of spines from the dorsal surface of the tegument was also observed. A variety of histological changes have been observed post in vitro PZQ-treatment in the structure of the tegumental and subtegumental tissues. Focal surface swelling and erosion together with marked loss of spines from the tegumental tubercles were observed in addition to slight vaculation in subtegumental tissues. The extent of tegumental damage was apparent and severe in PZQ-treatment rather than UV-irradiation, which showed relatively, moderate damage. In the immunofluorescence assay treated and non-treated control worms were probed with infected mouse serum, and incubated with conjugated [FITC] anti mouse IgG monoclonal antibody. An intensive fluorescent reaction was observed at the tegumental surface of worms pre-treated with praziquantel. Relatively moderate reaction was observed with UV-irradiated worms. Non-treated control worms showed mild positive reaction. This indicates an increase in the exposure of antigenic epitopes at the tegument of the treated worms than non-treated control worms. It is concluded that the induced damage in the tegumental surface and the exposure of antigenic epitopes as consequence of either PZQ-treatment or UV-irradiation could play a central and essential role in the propagation of the host-dependent effect or immune mechanism[s] which lead to the death and elimination of adult PZQ-treated or UV-irradiated worms in infected hosts

Effect of chemically modified biomphalaria alexandrina snail antigen on cellular immune response in murine schistosomiasis mansoni

This study was designed to test the effect of a chemically modified Biomphalaria alexandrine snail antigen on the cellular immune response in thymus, mesenteric lymph nodes [M.L.N.] and spleen in murine Schistosomiasis mansoni. Antigen [0.16 micro g/ml] was extracted from tissues of pretreated snails with thioxanthone derivative [4-[Beta-diethylaminoethylamino] 2-cyclohexeno thiaxant- hone] Mice were divided into preimmunized group [immunization before infection], postimmunized group [immunization post infection], infected and uninfected groups. Mice were immunized subcutaneously at two weeks intervals [3 x 0.2 ml/mouse], either before or after the challenge with 200 Egyptian Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Mice were sacrificed at two weeks post the third immunization and were compared with two groups of mice; uninfected control and infected positive control groups. The phenotypic analysis of the cellular immune response [CD3[+] pan T-cells, CD4[+] inducer/helper T-cells, CD8[+] suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells and B-cells] in thymus, mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen were assessed by direct immunoflourescence technique. A significant increase in CD3[+], CD4[+] and CD8[+] T -splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node cells were observed post 2[nd] and 3[rd] immunizations [Preimmunized group, Vacl and Vac2], as compared with negative control, as well as post-infection as compared with infected control. B-lymphocytes showed a significant increase post 2[nd] and 3[rd] immunizations preimmunized group, [Vac1 and Vac2], both in splenocytes and M.L.N. cells as compared with uninfected group, as well as post-infection as compared with infected positive control group [P

Internal defense response in native and exposed biomphalaria Alexandrina snails pretreated with praziquantel or different physical treatments

Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni either native or exposed, were treated with praziquantel or subjected to UV- and gamma-irradiation. The hemocytes count in native snails with different sizes was compared with the hemocytes count in exposed snails at different intervals post exposure. As well, the humoral response of plasma from native and exposed snails was measured by direct hemagglutination assay. The obtained results indicated high significant interrelations between different experimental treatments, non-treated control and different time intervals of the experiment for both native and exposed snails. The interaction between different snail sizes [native] and the experimental treatments was also highly significant, whereas, no significant interaction was observed between the experimental treatments of the exposed snails and the hemocytes count at different intervals post exposure. The hemocytes count of both UV- and gamma-irradiated snails showed slight decrease as compared with the control for both native and exposed snails. Meanwhile, snails treated with praziquantel showed relative increase in hemocytes count in both native and exposed snails as compared with control, UV- and gamma-Irradiated snails. The observed hemagglutination titre of plasma from either native or exposed snails was not considerably changed in all the experimental groups throughout the course of the experiment. It is concluded that the chemical treatment with praziquantel enhance the immune response in both native and exposed B. alexandrina snails, which could affect the development of the infective larvae inside the snails to a great extent. So, praziquantel could be recommended as a potent molluscicidal and larvicidal agent than UV-and gamma-Irradiation