Praziquantel (PZQ), the only common schistosocidal drug in use, is not efficacious for treatment of
immature schistosomiasis infection. Arabic gum (AG) is a complex polysaccharide that acts as an antioxidant
which modulates the inflammatory and/or immunological processes. This study explores for
the first time, the antischistosomal properties of AG in mice infected with the immature stage of
Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni). Mice were divided into four groups: control group (infected nontreated),
AG treated group, PZQ treated group, and AG+PZQ treated group. Oral administration of AG in
a dose of 1 g/kg body weight, daily for 3 consecutive weeks post-infection (PI) resulted in a statistically
significant (P-value 0.002 and 0.008 respectively) lower worm burden in both AG group and AG+PZQ
group compared to PZQ and control groups. AG+PZQ group always showed the best results when
compared with other groups regarding tissue egg load and oogram pattern. AG, both alone and in
combination with PZQ, decreased the granuloma number and diameter; with increasing the cellularity
and the number of degenerated Schistosoma eggs inside granulomas. Results obtained by this work
elucidated a promising AG bioactivity against S. mansoni immature stages and provided a platform for
subsequent experimental studies to illuminate the academia more about this novel and " green"
antischistosomal agent. |
