Prophylactic effect of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni

Summary 

Objectives

This study was a trial to demonstrate the prophylactic effect of diclofenac, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac potassium, CAS-15307-81-0, Ciba Geigy, 334.2) in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni. Two different dose regimens were used to explore the effects upon worm load, tissue egg load, and hepatic granuloma size.

Methods

In this study, a group of 50 Swiss albino mice was used. This group was divided into five subgroups: subgroup I constituted infected untreated control mice; subgroup II, infected mice given 0.5mg diclofenac orally 24h post infection, then sacrificed three weeks later; subgroup III, infected mice given 0.5mg diclofenac orally six weeks post infection and sacrificed one week later; subgroup IV, infected mice administered 1mg diclofenac orally 24h post infection and sacrificed three weeks later; and subgroup V, infected mice given 1mg of the drug orally six weeks post infection and sacrificed one week later.

Results

Mice given the high dose regimen (1mg orally/mouse) 24h post infection, then sacrificed three weeks later, demonstrated a significant reduction in the immature worms recovered, compared to the untreated controls. Animals receiving the high dose of the drug six weeks post infection, then sacrificed one week later, revealed a drop in the number of mature worms and in the tissue egg load (hepatic and intestinal), and the smallest hepatic granuloma measurement compared to the untreated controls. These findings were less conspicuous in animals given the low dose regimen.

Conclusion

Diclofenac could be used successfully as a preventive agent against schistosomiasis mansoni infection in endemic areas.

Keywords: Diclofenac, Experimental schistosomiasis mansoni, Immature worms, Mature worms and tissue egg load, Hepatic granuloma measurement