A parasitological investigation of the effects Diospyros kaki leaves against Schistosoma mansoni in vivo.

Abstract

Because of the great need to develop new antischistosomal agents, trials were designed to test the potency of traditional medicinal plants for treating schistosomiasis. That is why the aim of this study was to assess the schistosomicidal effect of the aqueous methanolic extract of Diospyros kaki leaves in-vivo regarding disease progression in a comparative experimental study to praziquantel (PZQ). Phytochemical investigation of Diospyros kaki leaves extract resulted in eleven phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Structures of these compounds were elucidated by UV and 1D⁄2D 1H⁄ 13C NMR spectroscopy and compared with the literature data. Parasitological parameters (total worm burden, tissue egg load, and oogram pattern) for the infected and treated mice groups had been measured per gram of liver or intestinal tissue. A histopathological examination of the liver granuloma took place as well. Diospyros kaki extract caused a substantial decrease in the number of worms and eggs percentage; the extract also decreased worm and egg burdens moderately. The results demonstrated the leaves extract as a promising antischistosomal activity due to the parasitological and histopathological changes induced, besides it highlights the importance of its polyphenolic constituents.