Liver conditions of Schistosoma-mansoni-infected mice treated with some Nigerian medicinal plants.

Abstract

In vivo experiments conducted to determine the anti-schistosomal potency of Bauhinia rufescens (L), Erythrina senegalensis (D) and Jatropha curcas (L) revealed varoius levels of potency. Twenty-five male albino mice aged between 4-5 weeks and
weighing between 15-20 grammes obtained from National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, were challenged each with 130-150 cercariae by tail immersion technique. At day 40 post infection, the mice were divided into five groups of five animals each. Praziquantel was administered orally to group 1 consisting of 5 mice at the rate of 200 mg/kg body weight (bw). Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered orally with 2 mg each of methanolic leaf extracts of B. rufescens, E. senegalensis and Jatropha curcas over 5 consecutive days at a daily rate of 0.1 ml (0.4 mg) per animal. Group 5 (untreated
control) was administered with 0.5 ml of liquid paraffin. Experimental infected mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 10 days post treatment and their liver harvested, weighted and scored based on the number of granulomata. Average liver weight of 2.4, 2.8, 2.8 and 3.2 gm and a mean liver score of 2.09, 2.13, 2.06 and 2.18 were recorded for mice treated with extracts of B. rufescens, E. senegalensis, J. curcas and the blank control respectively. No statistical difference were observed at p<0.05, however significant morbidity levels were observed.

Keywords: plants, extracts, liver conditions, mice, Schistosoma mansoni.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 28 (2) 2007: pp. 73-78