Ultrastructure alterations of adult male Schistosoma mansoni harbored in albino mice treated with Sidr honey and/or Nigella sativa oil

Abstract

In this investigation, the effects of Sidr honey, Nigella sativa oil (black-seed oil) and Sidr honey and black-seed oil together on the ultrastructure of tegument, gastrodermis and testes of adult male Schistosoma mansoni harbored in albino mice were studied. The tegument of adult male S. mansoni recovered from mice treated with various types of treatments revealed apparent damages which were severely clear in male worms harbored in mice treated with Sidr honey and black-seed oil together. On the other hand, the gastrodermis and testes of adult male S. mansoni obtained from mice treated with Sidr honey only or black-seed only revealed no apparent damage, while the gastrodermis and testes of worms recovered from mice treated with Sidr honey and black-seed oil together showed severe disorganization. Therefore, these treatments may represent a promising alternative treatment for the control of schistosomiasis mansoni, especially in endemic areas and where drug-resistant strains are found. These natural products may be recommended as useful, pleasant and popular accepted elements of food and drinks in such cases. © 2010.