Scientific publications
* (Corresponding author)
Other affiliations: Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Nestor Gipwe Feussom
Other affiliations: Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Emilienne Tienga Nkondo
Other affiliations: Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Mérimé Christian Kenfack
Other affiliations: Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Nadège Distele Simo
Joseph Bertin Kadji Fassi
Other affiliations: Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Ulrich Membe Femoe
Other affiliations: Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Cyriaque Moaboulou
Christelle Dongmo Tsague
Pièrre Kamtchouing
Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté
Other affiliations: Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine
The roots of Ozoroa pulcherrima Schweinf are used in traditional medicine to treat intestinal helminthiasis. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Ozoroa pulcherrima roots methanolic extract (OPME) on liver injury induced by Schistosoma mansoni in mice. A preliminary phytochemical study of OPME was conducted. OPME was given daily and orally to S. mansoni-infected mice at 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg for 28 days, starting from the 36th day post-infection. Praziquantel was used as reference drug. Non-infected and infected-untreated mice served as controls. Worm burden and egg output, transaminases, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and total protein; as well as malondialdehyde, catalase and reduced glutathione were evaluated. In OPME, total phenolic was 79.61 ± 0.25 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, while total flavonoid was 7.98 ± 0.04 mg rutin equivalent/g. Treatment of S. mansoni-infected mice with OPME produced significant reduction of worm burden and ova count in the faeces, liver and intestine. Significant reduction of alanine aminotransferase activity (p < 0.001) as well as significant increase of total protein content (p < 0.001) was recorded after OPME treatment at all doses. Total bilirubin level was also reduced (p < 0.01). Administration of OPME at all doses corrected the high malondialdehyde level (p < 0.001) induced by the infection. At 200 mg/kg, catalase activity and reduced glutathione concentration were significantly increased (p < 0.001). OPME at 200 mg/kg showed moderate schistosomicidal effect, but was effective as the standard drug praziquantel in restoring the liver function after S. mansoni infection.
