Antischistosomal Effects Of Solanum Incanum And Carica Papaya Crude Extracts On The Parasite Schistosoma Mansoni In Vivo And In Vitro

Abstract

In schistosomiasis infection, the disease is managed by exposing the definitive host to a dose of Praziquantel. However, Praziquantelis still not reaching the majority of those who most need it due to its high cost and there is possibility of drug resistance, hence need for alternatives. Antischistosomal effects of crude Solanum incanum and Carica papaya extacts were studied. Patterns on immune response, worm recovery, gross pathology in vivo and cercaricidal killing in vitro of Schistosoma mansoni was observed. In vivo S. mansoni infections were treated with two doses of 150 mg/kg of Solanum incanum or Carica papaya (methanol or aqueous) extracts and a treatment control of 450 mg/kg of Praziquantel. Various concentrations of plant extracts were used in cercaricidal assay. Carica papaya, showed highly reduced pathology, elevated immune responses and least time in destroying cercariae. On the other hand, S. incanum had the highest reduction in worm counts, similar to Praziquantel. Further studies are required to isolate the active compound(s) and determine mechanism(s) of their action.