Antifibrotic Effects of Fucoidan Compound on Experimental Hepatic Schistosomiasis

Background Schistosomiasis is a prevalent fibrotic disease characterized by inflammation and fibrous tissue deposition around Schistosoma eggs trapped in the hepatic tissue. This work aimed to evaluate the anti-fibrotic and anti-parasitic effects of fucoidan during the chronic phase of experimental schistosomiasis-mansoni in mice. Methods Sixty female Swiss albino mice were allocated into six groups; non-infected unmanaged mice group, infected unmanaged mice group, non-infected fucoidanmanaged mice group, infected fucoidan-managed mice group, infected PZQ-managed mice group, and infected combined fucoidan and PZQ managed mice. Every liver tissue was examined parasitologically, histopathologically, and by anti-transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) immunohistochemically. Serum was used to assess liver function test using commercial kits. Results Combined fucoidan and PZQ treatment expressed marked improvement of schistosome-induced pathology compared to using each of fucoidan and PZQ treatment separately and revealed the highest significant reduction in the total worm burden, hepatic egg load and the highest significant increase in the percentage of dead ova. Histopathological examination of hepatic sections revealed the highest significant decrease in the granuloma number and size with minimal collagen deposition. Also, the fucoidan and PZQ combination group revealed the highest significant decrease in TGF-β expression in comparison with the infected untreated mice group. Conclusion Fucoidan is a promising adjuvant therapy to PZQ that can be used to enhance PZQ efficiency and alleviate associated-fibrotic pathology in the liver. The different mechanisms of action for the two drugs appeared to augment their beneficial effects.