Efficacy of Pomegranate (Punica granatum)Peel Extract Against Hymenolepis nana in infections Mice

Wafa A. I. Al-Megrin

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, Saudi Arabia. Corresponding Author Email: wafa.megren@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/2010

ABSTRACT: To investigate the efficacy of pomegranate(Punica granatum)  as an alternative and safe treatment against Hymenolipes nana through experimental study on the white laboratory mice. Twenty eight Swiss albino mice naturally infected with Hymenolipes nana. Animals were divided into four groups, one group as control and groups 2-4 were fed daily with dose 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml and 1.5 ml pomegranate peel extract (300 mg/kg) respectively, The egg counts per gram (EPG) one day before treatment and on day 1, 7, 14, and 21 after treatment . All animals were then sacrificed under on day 21. The content of intestines were examined for the presence of worms and counting. Results from current Studyrevealed that,pomegranate peel extract was lead to reduce the eggs output in fecal pellets of treated infected groups comparing with control group.  In addition, the different doses 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml and 1.5 ml of a pomegranate peel extract demonstrated a directly proportional reduction in EPG count (31.5,  38.6 and 43.5)  respectively. On the other hand, the number of worms at necropsy was decreased (15.6   ±2.6, 8.4 ±2.1 and 5.7±2.5) in treated infected groups (0.5 ml, 1.0 ml and 1.5 ml) respectively. The findings of this study indicate that Pomegranate peel extract has active role to treat infection of H. nana due to possesses potential anti-cestodal activity.

KEYWORDS: Pomegranate; Hymenolepis nana; Natural; Treatment

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