A novel green approach for treatment of immature Schistosomiasis Mansoni infection in mice; Arabic gum (Acacia Senegal) antischistosomal properties

Schistosomiasis is one of the most socioeconomically exhausting parasitic infection in tropical and subtropical areas. Praziquantel (PZQ), the only common schistosocidal drug in use, is not efficient enough for treatment of immature infection. Arabic gum (AG) is a complex polysaccharide acts as anti-oxidant which modulates the inflammatory and/or immunological processes. This study explores for the first time, the antischistosomal properties of AG in mice infected with the immature stage of . Mice were divided into four groups: control group (infected non-treated), AG treated group, PZQ treated group, and AG+PZQ treated group. Oral administration of AG in a dose of 1gm/kg body weight, daily for 3 consecutive weeks post-infection (p.i.) resulted in a statistically significant lower worm burden in both AG group and AG+PZQ group compared to PZQ and control groups. AG+PZQ group always showed the best performance when compared with other groups regarding tissue egg load and oogram pattern. AG, both alone and in combination with PZQ, decreased the number, diameter; increased the cellularity and the number of degenerated Schistosoma eggs inside granulomas. Results obtained by this work elucidated a promising AG bioactivity against immature stages and provided a platform for subsequent experimental studies to illuminate the academia more about this novel and “green” antischistosomal agent.