Abstract

C. Igbeneghu*, M. J. Olisekodiaka and K. Ariwoola

ABSTRACT

Aim: To investigate the possible effect of aqueous leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) on mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni). Study Design: Parasitological, haematological and biochemical assessment of treatment activity of the aqueous leaf extract of A. paniculata on mice infected with S. mansoni. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biomedical Sciences Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, College of Health Sciences, Osogbo, Nigeria between March and May, 2013. Methodology: 48 male mice (range18-22 g) were randomly divided into four groups (A-D) each consisting of 12 mice each and in replicate of two: group A received water (0.5 ml/kg), group B received aqueous Andrographis paniculata (10 mg/kg), group C was infected with S. mansoni for six weeks and group D was infected with S. mansoni for two weeks and then treated with A. paniculata (10 mg/kg) for four weeks. Worm burden and egg load, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell counts, serum total protein and albumin concentration and activities of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined using standard methods. Results: Worm burden and egg load were significantly lower (p < 0.001) while haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte count were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in infected treated mice than in infected non-treated mice. Mean activities of ALT, AST, ALP and serum total protein and albumin levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in infected treated mice when compared with respective means of infected non-treated. Conclusion: Results from the present study suggest that A. paniculata possibly possesses anti-schistosomal properties.