Title:Phytochemical and in vitro Screening of Justicia spicigera Ethanol Extract for Antioxidant Activity and in vivo Assessment Against Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Mice
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Nagwa E. Awad, Mostafa A. Abdelkawy, Enas H. Abdelrahman, Manal A. Hamed* and Nehal S. Ramadan
Affiliation:Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St., Dokki, Cairo, Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St., Dokki, Cairo, Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St., Dokki, Cairo
Keywords:Justicia spicigera, Mirazid, schistosomiasis, oxidative stress, enzymes, worm burden.
Abstract:Background: Chemotherapy of schistosomiasis by certain drugs is impractical due to the resistance
of Schistosoma larvae to schistosomiasis drugs after long treatment period. The aim of this
work is to monitor Schistosoma mansoni infection on mice livers after treatment with the ethanolic extract
of Justicia spicigera areal parts and the herbal antishistosomal drug (Mirazid); the oleo-resin extract
from Myrrh of Commiphora molmol tree.
Methods: Liver function enzymes; Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST); Alanine Aminotransferase
(ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Gamma Glutamyl Trans- Peptidase (GGT) and serum total protein
content were estimated. Oxidative stress markers; Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH) and
Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) were also evaluated. Parasitological and histopathological studies
through numbers of worm burden and liver pathology pattern were done.
Results: The results showed obvious decreases in AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total protein, MDA and SOD
after treatment with plant extract or the selected drug, while GSH recorded significant increase after
treatment. A noticeable decrease in worm count and an improvement in histopathological picture of the
infected mice liver were detected.
Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Justicia spicigera areal parts recorded antioxidants and antischistosomal
effects. Further work is needed to validate its safety and for considering it as anti-schisotosomal
drug.
