Efficacy of Randia nilotica methanol extract against Schistosoma mansomi infection in mice

Introduction: Schistosomiasis is an important parasitic disease in the tropics. Emergence of praziquantel-resistence strains urged the need for new drugs. Objective: To scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of a plant (Randia nilotica) used traditionally to treat schistosomiasis. Methods: Albino mice were experimentally infected with single dose of 150 cercariae of the Sudan strain of Schistosom mansoni. All the cercariae penetrated the shaved tail of the mouse. The mice were treated with single i.p (intraperitoneal) dose of 1 ml of R. nilotica methanol extract (prepared from fruit part of the plant) in concentration of 5000 ppm and double doses through the same route of administration with 1 ml of R. nilotica methanol extract in concentrations of 1000 and 500 ppm. Results: This resulted in total worm burden reductions at 87% 76% 68% respectively. The reductions in female worm burden were 99%, 97%, and 95% respectively. Oral administration with the same concentrations (single dose of 5000 ppm and double doses of 1000 and 500 ppm) resulted in total and female worm burden reductions. There was obvious reduction in the number of eggs in liver and intestinal tissues of the treated mice and improvement of their health when compared with the control group Conclusion: We conclude that the methanol extract of R. nilotica is effective against S. mansoni. Sudan Journal of Medical Science Vol. 1 (2) December 2006: 103-10