THE EFFECTS OF MIRAZID FRACTIONS ON THE VIABILITY OF SCHISTOSOMULA OF SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Departments of Parasitology, National liver Institute, Menoufia University, Egypt

2 Departments of Biochemistry, National liver Institute, Menoufia University, Egypt

Abstract

Schistosma infection is an endemic disease in many developing countries including Egypt. Despite the effort to control and treat the infection with praziquantel, the development of resistance is a major health problem. Myrrh extract (Mirazid®) has been used as an alternative with conflicting results. In this study the effects of Mirazid® fractions on schistosomules of S. mansoni have been tested. Using column chromatography we have fractionated the molecule to 10 fractions. Two of these fractions were more potent and cause damage to the schistosomules detected by toluidine blue dyes and confirmed by electron microscopic examination. In conclusion, identification and purification of the active molecules in these fractions may potentiate the antischistosomal effects of Mirazid.

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