Chromatographic Fingerprint Analysis and Effects of the Medicinal Plant SpeciesMitracarpus frigiduson AdultSchistosoma mansoniWorms

Abstract

The aims of this work were to evaluate thein vitroandin vivoschistosomicidal properties of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts ofMitracarpus frigidus(MFM) and to determine its HPLC profile. For thein vitroexperiment, four pairs of adult worms, obtained from infected mice, were exposed to different concentrations of MFM (100 to 400 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 h and analyzed under an inverted microscope. For thein vivoexperiment, mice were inoculated with cercariae and, 20 days after infection, MFM (100 and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally for the following 25 days. Mice were euthanized after 60 days. MFM showedin vitroschistosomicidal activity, exhibiting the opening of the gynaecophoral canal of some male schistosomes, the presence of contorted muscles, vesicles, and the darkening of the paired worms skin.In vivoexperiments showed that MFM treatments significantly reduced total worm count, as praziquantel, showing a decrease in liver and spleen weight. Also, a significant reduction in granuloma density was observed. MFM treatment did not cause alterations in the liver function of either infected or noninfected mice. The HPLC chromatogram profile showed the presence of kaempferol-O-rutinoside, rutin, kaempferol, psychorubrin, and ursolic acid.