Role of Morus alba in ameliorating Schistosoma mansoni-induced renal and testicular injuries in mice

Schistosomiasis is the second most significant parasitic disease in the world after malaria. herbal medicine is the most widely used form of medicine in the world today where the medicinal plants contain curative bioactive ingredients. the study aimed to investigate the role of morus alba leaves extract in ameliorating schistosoma mansoni-induced renal and testicular injuries in mice. experimental mice infected with s. mansoni cercariae and treated with the crude methanolic extract after 46 days postinfection. histopathological effects were determined in 5 μm thick sections. oxidative stress was assessed by determining glutathione (gsh) level,nitrite/nitrate and lipid peroxidation as indicated malondialdehyde (mda) production in the kidney and testis,besides estimation of plasma uric acid and testosterone levels. the ameliorating effect of m. alba was extending to improve the histopathology of kidney and testis of infected mice. infection with s. mansoni caused progressive depletion of gsh level and significant enhancement of mda and nitrite/nitrate levels. treatment of mice with m. alba extract ameliorated the tissues damage and oxidative stress induced by schistosomasis,as indicated by significant improvement of gsh level and significant decrease in mda and nitrite/nitrate levels formation as compared to schistosome infected group. the present study indicates that m. alba extract possess a highly promising ameliorative effects against histopathological damages and oxidative stress induced by s. mansoni infection. copyright 2013 zoological society of pakistan.