Experimental trials of an artemisinin derivative in treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infected mice.

Dihyroartemesinin, an artemesinin derivative, was used for treatment of mice experimentally infected with S. mansoni. A significant decrease in total worm count was recorded when mice were treated during early and late stages of infection. Histopathological examination of liver sections showed minimal pathological changes with early treatment and enhanced fibrosis of granulomas with late treatment. The results showed that dihydroartemesinin had a promising effect on S. mansoni infected mice almost comparable to that of praziquantel.