TAMOXIFEN VERSUS PRAZIQUANTEL IN TREATING SCHISTOSOMIASIS MANSONI IN EXPERIMENTAL INFECTED ALBINO MICE

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is blood-dwelling parasites of the genus Schistosoma , mainly S. mansoni, S. japonicum and S. haematobium. Praziquantel ® (PZQ) is the drug of choice for treatment but, its efficacy decreased as drug resistant strains emerged due to widespread usages. This study assessed the in-vivo anti-schistosomal effects of Tamoxifen ® (TAM) compared to praziquantel on experimental S. mansoni-infected mice regarding worm burden, liver enzymes status, cytokines change, histopathological study and the activities of some antioxidants. Mice were infected by ~80±10 cercariae followed by a single oral dose with either praziquantel or tamoxifen 42 days post-infection. The treated mice showed a reduction in worm burden, a decrease in egg load in liver and intestine, a decrease in levels of AST, ALT, interferon-gamma, interleukin 4, and interleukin 10 but, with a significant activities increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase (CAT) and decrease in granuloma size than infected non-treated mice.