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.本研究旨在评估单独使用笋瓜（Cucurbita maxima）种子提取物，以及其与吡喹酮（PZQ）联合使用时，对曼氏血吸虫（Schistosoma mansoni）感染小鼠的抗血吸虫活性。与对照组相比，笋瓜提取物联合吡喹酮处理组的总虫卵计数具有统计学显著性差异，降幅达72.6%。笋瓜种子提取物与吡喹酮联合给药可分别显著降低小鼠肠道、肝脏内的虫卵计数以及肉芽肿（granuloma）体积，对应统计学显著性分别为p=0.01、p=0.02与p=0.001。分别经Matimure、Mwedziwandira及Chikanza三个位点尾蚴（cercariae）感染的小鼠，其肠道虫卵计数、肝脏虫卵计数及肉芽肿体积均无显著差异，对应p值分别为0.472、0.529与0.374。本研究观察到笋瓜提取物与吡喹酮联合使用的协同效应，建议将该联合疗法纳入人体临床试验的候选方案。