Schistosomacidal activity of <i>Maytenus senegalensis</i> (Lam.) Excell. (Celastraceae) extracts on Schistosoma mansoni in mice

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the schistosomacidal effect of Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Excell. on Schistosoma mansoni in mice. Three different concentrations (6.0, 3.0 and 1.5) mg/ml of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant roots was given orally to different groups of infected mice. Praziquantel was used as standard drug. Parameters investigated include the spleen weight, liver weight, liver score, worm burden, haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (pcv). Results showed schitosomacidal effects as evidenced by decreases in spleen and liver weights, reduction in worm burden as well as increases in Hb and PCV values of treated mice compared to those of the untreated group. Activity of plant is also shown to be directly proportional to the concentration in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. Statistical analysis shows that there is a significant difference (p<0.05) between the various treatments in all the parameters examined. Thus Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Excell. is a potential alternative therapeutic agent of Schistosomiasis mansoni. Suggestions on further works in this area are discussed.

Keywords: schistosomacidal effect, Maytenus senegalensis, mice.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 28 (2) 2007: pp. 79-82