Efficiency of ginger (Zingbar officinale) against Schistosoma mansoni infection during host-parasite association.

The possible protective effect of ethanolic extract of ginger against infection with Schistosome mansonii was evaluated in mice. The extract was given daily for 45 days beginning at either 2nd day or 45 days post infection. Oral supplementation of ginger extract to infected animals was effective in reducing worm burden and the egg load in the liver and intestine which coincided with the reduction in granuloma diameters. Ginger extract had also the effect to offset liver fibrosis in response to S. mansoni infection indicated by reduced liver hydroxyproline level and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The extract reduces some inflammatory mediators that play a crucial role in schistosomal liver fibrosis and its complications. These include liver xanthine oxidase (XO); nitric oxide (NO); tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); immunoglobins E, G, and M (Ig-E, Ig-G and Ig-M, respectively), and interleukin 4, 10 and 12 (IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12, respectively). Administration of ginger extract ameliorated the infection-induced alterations in serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine amintransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). It was concluded that oral administration of ginger extract to S. mansoni infected mice could minimize the deleterious effects of this parasite on the vital functions of infected animals.