Histopathological evidences for the antifibrogenic effect of colchicine in schistosomiasis mansoni in mice.

Colchicine treated mice showed significant decrease in prevalence of fibrocellular and fibrocellular and fibrous granulomas in liver specimens compared to corresponding control groups. Percentage of spindle cell component and red fibrillar (RF) material showed significant reduction compared to control groups. These evidences of the antifibrogenic effect of colchicine were more prominent when treatment was given early after infection. Combined therapy with colchicine and praziquantel gave the same results. Mice treated with praziquantel alone showed no significant change compared to control groups. Colchicine showed also an immunomodulant effect evidenced by a significant decrease in the intensity of small and medium-sized to large cell components compared to control groups.