Abstract
Schistosomiasis is the second most predominant tropical disease in Africa after malaria. In the developing world, it has a great public health and socio-economic importance. Here, we aimed to assess the antioxidant and anti-schistosomal activities of Morus alba leaves (MLE) methanolic extract (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) on the noticed tissue damage caused by Schistosonia mansoni infection in mice. The infection resulted in marked histopathological abnormalities in the spleen and jejunum. Moreover, infection induced splenomegally and the spleen appeared with disorganized red and white pulps while the jejunum of the infected mice appeared with some inflammation, vacuolation of the epithelium, and destruction of some villi. Also, the number of goblet cells within the infected villi was significantly increased. In addition, schistosomiasis caused oxidative damage where the level of glutathione (GSH) was reduced significantly while the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite/nitrate were elevated significantly. On the other hand, oral gavage of MLE extract ameliorated the tissues damage and oxidative stress. induced by Schistosomasis. The present study indicates that MLE extract possess a highly promising ameliorative effect against histopathological damages and oxidative stress induced by Schistosomasis.