Schistosoma mansoni worms inhabit the portal triad affecting blood elements.
Therefore, the current study aimed to compare ameliorative effects of
Commiphora molmol extract (Mirazid, MZD) and praziquantel (PZQ) on some
biochemical parameters in S. mansoni-infected mice. Accordingly, Swiss albino
mice (n=72) were used and were divided into 4 equal groups; 18 mice each. Group < br />(1) was uninfected non-treated control. Mice in infected groups administered 100
S. mansoni cercariae/mouse. Group (2) contained infected non-treated mice.
Group (3) was infected and treated with MZD at a dose of 500 mg/kg for 5
successive days. Group (4) was infected and treated with PZQ in a dose of 500
mg/kg for 2 successive days. Treatment started 7 weeks post infection (WPT) by
the oral route. Blood samples were collected at the 1st, 2nd and 4th weeks post
treatment for liver functions (ALT, AST and ALP), kidney functions tests (blood urea
and serum creatinine) and cholinergic function (serum cholinesterase level). PZQ
ameliorated activities of serum enzymes; alanine aminotransferase, aspartate
aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase more than MZD compared to infected
untreated group. PZQ significantly decreased ALT at 1, 2 and 4 WPT as well as AST
and ALP activity at 2 and 4 WPT whereas, MZD resulted in significant reduction in
ALT activity at the 1st, 2nd and 4th WPT. AST and ALP activities appeared at the
2nd and 4th WPT. PZQ caused progressive significant reduction in elevated levels
of urea and creatinine at the 1st, 2nd and 4th WPT, respectively that produced by
MZD. PZQ and MZD induced a significant elevation in the level of AChE. Such effect
was early detected MZD, and it was showed at the 2nd and 4th WPT for PZQ. It
was concluded that PZQ and MZD were safe drugs with no adverse biochemical
effects on S. mansoni-infected treated mice with potential action done by PZQ
rather than MZD.