Author/Authors :
HUSSEIN, Atef Dept. of Parasitology - Faculty of Medicine - Benha University, Benha, Egypt , RASHED, Samia Dept. of Parasitology - Faculty of Medicine - Benha University, Benha, Egypt , El HAYAWAN, Ibrahim Dept. of Parasitology - Faculty of Medicine - Benha University, Benha, Egypt , El-SAYED, Rabab Dept. of Parasitology - Faculty of Medicine - Benha University, Benha, Egypt , ALI, Hemat Dept. of Parasitology - Faculty of Medicine - Benha University, Benha, Egypt
Abstract :
Background: Curcumin is the major active ingredient of Curcuma longa
L., traditionally known as turmeric and has been shown to exhibit a wide
range of pharmacological activities including anti-parasitic effect. However,
it is found to be water-insoluble and has low bioavailability. The aim
of this study was to explore the potential role of turmeric solved in olive
oil either alone or in combination with praziquantel (PZQ) in treatment
of schistosomiasis mansoni.
Methods: The whole turmeric powder suspended in olive oil (as a solvent)
is indicated to S. mansoni-infected mice aiming to study its potential
therapeutic role, either alone or in combination with PZQ.
Results: Turmeric significantly reduced S. mansoni worm burden and
complete absence of adult worms achieved in mice treated with
combination of turmeric and PZQ. Turmeric has slight non-significant
effect on the oogram pattern in all examined S. mansoni infected mice.
Turmeric and PZQ found to exert a significant reduction of granuloma
size in comparison with control. However, turmeric has a non-significant
effect on granuloma number. On the other hand, turmeric or/and PZQ
treated mice showed obvious improvement of pathology with mild
cloudy swelling and less hydropic degeneration.
Conclusion: Turmeric significantly reduced parasite worm burden, granuloma
size and consequently the pathology of affected liver, it still far less
effective than PZQ.
