Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract ameliorates schistosomiasis liver granuloma, fibrosis, and oxidative stress through downregulation of fibrinogenic signaling in mice

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 1;13(10):e0204923. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204923. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a widespread parasitic infection that affects humans, as well as wild and domestic animals. It ranks second after malaria, with a significant health and socio-economic impact in the developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the anti-schistosomal impact of Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract (ZLE) on Schistosoma mansoni-induced liver fibrosis in CD-1 Swiss male albino mice. S. mansoni infection was achieved by dipping of mouse tails in schistosomal cercariae. ZLE treatment was initiated at 46 days post-infection by administering a dose of the extract on a daily basis for 10 consecutive days. S. mansoni infection resulted in liver granuloma and fibrosis, with a drastic elevation in liver function factors, nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation, which were associated with a reduction in glutathione content and substantial inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activities compared to those of the control. Induction of hepatic granuloma, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in the liver was controlled by ZLE administration, which also produced inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9, alpha-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases expressions. In addition, the S. mansoni-infected group exhibited an increase in Bax and caspase-3 levels and a decrease in Bcl-2 level. However, treatment with ZLE mainly mitigated apoptosis in the liver. Thus, the findings of this study revealed that Ziziphus spina-christi had anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrotic, antioxidant, and protective effects on S. mansoni-induced liver wounds. The benefits of Ziziphus spina-christi extract on S. mansoni were partly partially mediated by enhancing anti-fibrinogenic and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / parasitology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Mice
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / metabolism
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / physiopathology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Ziziphus / chemistry*

Substances

  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Nfe2l2 protein, mouse
  • Plant Extracts
  • Fibrinogen

Grants and funding

The authors extend their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for its funding of this work through the Research Project No. R6-17-03-55.