Therapeutic activity of extract Harpagophytum procumbens during experimental Schistosomiasis mansoni

• Grant number: 12/17114-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Helminthology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda de Freitas Anibal
• Grantee: Elisandra de Almeida Montija
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is an endemic disease caused by the trematode of the genus Schistosoma. The infection occurs through the cercariae penetration in the skin when the man came in contact with contaminated water. The inflammatory response developed is not yet fully understood, and parasite control measures are deficient, it's may lead to environmental damage and population, so the measure is a more efficient treatment of infected patients. Currently, the drug of choice is praziquantel, but some studies have shown the resistance of some strains of the parasite to the routine use of this drug. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the action antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory of the extract of Harpagophytum procumbens, which it's may a potential future candidate for the formulation of a compound for the treatment of schistosomiasis. (AU)