Schistosomicidal Effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica A JUSS: Meliceae) Ethanol Extracts on Schistosomiasis mansoni in Albino Mice

Abstract

This research was aimed at investigating the schistosomicidal potential of ethanol extracts of Azadirachta indica against Schistosoma mansoni in albino mice. Plant materials were identified and collected from Central Area of Kano State, Nigeria. Collected roots, leaves, stem bark and seeds were air dried at room temperature, pulverized and subjected to Soxhlet extraction technique for 72 hours using ethanol as solvent. Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails were identified and collected and subjected to cercariae shedding by providing artificial illumination. Experimental animals were exposed to S. mansoni infection using the tail immersion techniques for 30-40 minutes. Each mouse was given a 125 dose of cercariae. Treatment of infected mice with extracts at different concentrations commenced 7 weeks post infection period and lasted for 14 days. Physical examination of some body organs of infected animals upon dissection reveled varying degrees of variation when compared with the control. Highest liver weight of 2.74g ± 0.12g was recorded among animals treated with REE at 0.001g/ml concentration and the lowest of 1.75g ± 0.02g was found among animals treated with SEE 0.1g/ml. 0.29g ± 0.01g was the highest lungs weight recorded among animals treated with REE at 0.001g/ml while the lowest was 0.15g ± 0.003g among animals treated with SEE at 0.1g/ml. Highest spleen weight  recorded was 0.35g ± 0.003g and found among animals treated with REE at 0.001g/ml and the lowest spleen weight of 0.21g ± 0.003 was found in animals treated with LEE at  the highest concentration of 0.1g/ml. Highest mean number of worms recovered after treatment was 52.89 ± 2.80 with a 57.69% worm reduction rate and this was recorded among the group treated with REE at 0.001g/ml concentration. The lowest mean number of worms recovered was 6.00 ± 0.00 with a 95.20% worm reduction rate and was recorded among those animals treated with SEE at 0.1g/ml concentration. A significant difference (p <0.05) was found among the different treatments and across concentrations for all extracts. Azadirachta indica demonstrated a high level of activity against S. mansoni, and the activity was dependent on concentration and type of extract. A. indica may serve as an alternative remedy for the treatment of Schistosomiasis infection.