Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical illness, relying on a single drug to treat, its efficacy decreased
as drug resistant strains emerged due to widespread usage. The study evaluated the
therapeutic and prophylactic effects of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) oil extract in comparison
to praziquantel (PZQ) on experimental S. mansoni-infected mice by measuring parasitological,
antioxidant activity, immunological, and histopathological parameters. Mice were infected followed
by a single oral dose of PZQ or daily Purslane oil extract for 15 days, six weeks postinfection.
Purslane treated group induced significant reduction in mean worm burden, hepatic,
and intestinal egg loads, serum levels of ALT, AST along with significant rise in CAT,
SOD,GSH-R, GPx activities, TNF- α, IL-4, IL-10, dead eggs percentage, and moderate decrease
in granuloma diameter. PZQ was more effective than purslane. Purslane's methanol extract
has promising therapeutic but little prophylactic effects against S. mansoni.