Therapeutic activity of Harpagoside in Schistosomiasis mansoni

Abstract

Schistosomiasis mansoni, a disease that affects more than 240 million people worldwide, is caused by a trematode, Schistosoma mansoni. Among tropical diseases, it ranks second in mortality in the world, second only to malaria. The developed inflammatory response is not yet fully understood and the parasite control measures are deficient, which can lead to environmental and population damage. Thus, the most efficient measure is the treatment of infected patients. For more than 40 years to date, the drug of choice is praziquantel, but some studies have revealed the loss of sensitivity of some strains of the parasite to the routine use of this drug in some countries. Studies with Harpagophytum procumbens demonstrate that its extract has phytotherapeutic potential during experimental infection with S. mansoni, suggesting that further studies are necessary to better evaluate and understand its effects. In this study we will investigate the anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and cytotoxic action of harpagoside, a compound extracted from Harpagophytum procumben, proposing a possible herbal medicine and a new tool for the treatment of schistosomiasis mansoni. (AU)