In Vivo Evaluation of Cucurbita maxima seeds extracts alone and in combination with praziquantel against S. mansoni Infection in Murine Models.

The current study was aimed at evaluating the antischistosomal activity of Cucurbita maxima seeds extract alone and in combination with PZQ on Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice . The reduction in total egg count in the C. maxima extract +praziquantel treated group was statically significant with a 72.6% reduction compared to the control group. Combined treatment by C. maxima seeds extract and PZQ induced a significant reduction in the egg count in intestines liver and granuloma size (p=0.01; p=0.02 & p= 0.001) respectively. There was no significant difference in the egg count in intestines, liver and granuloma size from the mice infected by cercariae from the three sites Matimure, Mwedziwandira, and Chikanza (p=0.472; p=0.529& p=0,374) respectively. We observed the synergistic effects of C.maxima extracts in combination with praziquantel and we propose that this combination be considered for human trials.