Antiparasitic Activity of Mirazid, Myrrh Total Oil and Nitazoxanide Compared to Praziquantel on Schistosoma mansoni: Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

BACKGROUND: The development of new antischistosomal drug remains a pressing need and a vital challenge in front of many researchers through screening the natural or chemical substances for their potential activity as antischistosomal agents. METHODS: Five groups of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice (n=10) were enrolled in this study, the G1 was infected non-treated control group. G2 was infected treated with praziquantel 500 mg/kg for 2 consecutive days. G3 was given mirazid 500 mg/kg for 5 days. G4 was given Myrrh total oil 18 mg/kg for 3 days and G5 given nitazoxanide 100 mg/kg for 7 days. Mice perfusion was performed for worm ultrastructural morphology by scanning electron microscopy at 2 WPT. RESULTS: Praziquantel was superior to any other tested substances as it caused extensive tegumental damages in male worms in the form of rupture of the tubercles and loss of spines followed by mirazid that resulted only in superficial tegumental damage with shrinkage of the outer surface of male tubercles with marked loss of spines. Nitazoxanide resulted in minor tegumental alterations of male worms while Myrrh total oil caused negligible effects on the teguments of perfused worms. CONCLUSION: PZQ showed more superior antiparasitic effects than all tested substances on S. mansoni worms. Mirazid was more effective than myrrh total oil and nitazoxanide.