Anti-coccidial effect of commiphora molmol in the domestic rabbit [Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus L.]

This study investigated the effect of oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora molmol Engler [Family: Burceraceae] known as Myrrh and the commercial extract known as Mirazid as a treatment against hepatic coccidiosis induced by the parasite Eimeria stiedae in domestic rabbits. Rabbits were infected with 1000 parasite sporulated oocysts and subjected to two treatment regimens, using crude myrrh suspension and the oleo-resin extract, mirazid, each administered at 500 mg/kg rabbit body weight. Treatments of infected rabbits resulted in significant reduction of the mean oocyst numbers in rabbit faeces by 52.38 % in the crude-treated rabbits and by 90.90 % mirazid-treated rabbits, compared to the untreated infected rabbits at day 21 post-infection [pi]. At day 28 pi no oocysts parasite were observed in the faeces of rabbits. Both treatments resulted in significant recovery of infected rabbits from all symptoms of infection compared to the untreated infected group and healthy control groups. Histopathological examination of liver showed remarkable improvement in all histopathological parameters in G5 and G8 compared with the infected untreated G2. These included an almost complete healing of the hemorrhagic tissue and partial healing of the endothelial lining and hepatocytes encircling the central vein, the hepatocytes laminate regained their original radial shape and disappearance of fat vacuoles from the tissue and remarkable reduction in lymphocytes infiltration, decreased hyperplasia of the epithelial cells with significant decreasing of the parasite stage numbers. Results also indicate that mirazid was more effective than crude myrrh, probably due to higher content of purified active ingredients

Human infection with bertiella studeri [cestode: anoplocephalidae] in an Egyptian worker returning back from Saudi Arabia

Perhaps this is the first case of bertiellosjs studeri record in Egyptian worker returning back from Saudi Arabia. The patient was resistant to Niclosamide but successfully treated with Commiphora molmol extract

Histopathological and biochemical effects of myrrh, pomegranate and black seed on the mosquito culex quinquefasciatus in Saudi Arabia

Medicinal plants contain numerous bioactive compounds that rendered them potential targets for extensive research to produce novel pesticides against mosquitoes and important vectors of infectious diseases in the world. In this study, the histopathological and biochemical effects of three medicinal plants, myrrh, pomegranate and black seed, were tested against the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus in Saudi Arabia. Fourth instar larvae were treated with aquaeous extract of each plant separately and the changes in various larval tissues and protein profile of the treated larvae were investigated. The results showed that many tissues suffered major changes due to exposure to plant extracts. The observed changes include rupture and disintegration of midgut epithelium with detachment of cellular membranes. There were vacuolization and swelling of some epithelial cells with the appearance of unknown structures. Other cells appeared devoid of nuclear material, which might be due to fragmentation of nuclear DNA/chromosomes, an important sign of apoptotic cells. Other tissues: Malpighian tubules, muscles, nerve ganglla and fat tissue suffered varying degrees of damage, but lesser than the midgut. Protein analysis showed changes in general protein profile of treated larvae compared to normal larvae. Treatment with plant extracts resulted in loss of protein bands of molecular weights of 2.3 KD and bands between 75 and 212 KD. In all treatments, a group of bands of molecular weights between 9 and 71 KD appeared but with variable profiles, which indicates the loss or gain of one or more band compared to the control mosquito profile. These bands might be metabolic products or fractions of the larger protein bands in response to treatment. These results showed that water extracts of myrrh, pomegranate and black seed affected various tissues and protein products of the mosquito at varying degrees and apparent modes of action. These changes will implicate various physiological processes of the mosquito and could interfere with its life cycle and vectorial capacity for disease transmission. Therefore, more research is needed to determine the specific mode of action and molecular targets in different mosquito stages as well as the side effects on non-targets of each plant extract for the production of novel effective and safe mosquitocidal compounds

Mirazid in treatment of human Hymenolepiasis

The efficacy and safety of Mirazid in treatment of human hymenolepiosis were carried out in a rural village in Talkha Center [Dakahlia G.]. Kato thick smear stool examination showed 51 cases of Hymenolepis nana [9 of them had concomitant parasitosis], two cases of H. diminuta. Mirazid was given in a dose of 10 mg/kg/d for nine consecutive days an hour before breakfast for hymenolepiosis cases, as capsule for adults and suppository for children. All cases were subjected to history taking before treatment and six weeks post-treatment and stool examination was repeated as well weekly for six weeks post-treatment. There was overt clinical improvement. Side effects were negligible. Parasitologic cure rate was 40/41 or 95.2% for H. nana one week post-treatment, and 100% for H. diminuta one week post-treatment, up to six weeks follow-up for all treated patients. Two unresponded H. nana patients were cured by another Mirazid course

Mirazid [commiphora molmol] in treatment of human heterophyiasis

A total of 3278 patients attended Mansoura University Hospitals' Clinics with gastrointestinal troubles suggesting parasitosis were examined by direct smear and by Kato-Katz methods for parasites especially Heterophyes heterophyes. Fifty clinically and parasitologically proved pure heterophyiasis patients were given Mirazid as two capsules for 9 successive days on an empty stomach an hour before breakfast. All the cases were subjected to history taking and clinical examination before treatment and were followed-up for four weeks post-treatment. There was an overt clinical and parasitological improvement. A total of 47 out of 50 [94%] were cured. Another course was given to the three patients who were still positive, but only two of them were cured [66.7%]. The overall cure rate was 49/50 [98%] and none had any side effect. The history and treatment of this zoonotic parasite was critically discussed

Some parasitic flukes infecting farm animals in Al-Santa center, Gharbia governorate, Egypt

A total of 213 farm animals in the vicinity of Al-Santa Center [73 cattle, 90 buffaloes and 50 sheep] were coprologic examined for natural infection with trematod-parasites. The results showed that cattle were infected with Fasciola sp [21.8%] and Paramphistomum sp. [7.3%], buffaloes were infected with Fasciola sp. [17.7%] and Paramphistomum sp. [10%], while sheep were infected with Fasciola sp. [30%], D. dendriticum [5%] and Paramphistomurn sp. [4%]. The three animal species were treated for paramphistomiasis with a total dose of 1800, 6000 and 7500 mgm of Oleo-resin solution of Commiphora molmol [dose of 6 ml of 10 gm% equal to 2 Mirazid [R] The cure was 100% in sheep 80% in cattle and 44.4% in buffaloes. High dose for both cattle and buffaloes to reach 100% cure rate was not tried

Comparative study of the hepatotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of praziquantel distocide and the natural Myrrh extract Mirazid [R] on adult male albino rats

Praziquantel [PZQ] is widely and effectively used in the control of bilharziasis which constitutes a major endemic health problem in Egypt. However, recent studies recommended that the drug must be re-evaluated because of its potential carcinogenicity and genotoxicity. Mirazid is a new natural anti-schistosomal drug formed of myrrh extract and considered to be a safe drug. This work was conducted to evaluate and compare hepatotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of PZQ und mirazid on adult male albino rats by assessment of serum levels of ALT, AST and bilirubin, histopathological study of the liver and cytogenetic study of bone marrow cells. 100 adult male albino rats were equally divided into 4 groups: group I negative control, group II control rats received distilled water, group III received weekly single oral dose of PZQ [1500 mg/kg] for 6 weeks and group IV received daily oral dose of mirazid [500mg/kg] for 6 weeks. At the end of the study, 10 rats of each group were investigated by assessment of the levels of AST, ALT, and bilirubin. After scarification, liver sections were examined by light microscopy. Another 10 rats of each group were submitted to cytogenetic examination. It was found that praziquantel induced a significant increase in the mean values of AST, ALT and bilirubin with areas of hyaline degeneration, fatty changes, dysplasia and necrosis in the liver sections. It also induced a significant increase in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations as polyploidy, fragment, deletion and ring chromosome as compared with control group. Mirazid induced an insignificant increase in the mean values of AST, ALT and bilirubin with a normal hepatic tissue and an insignificant increase in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations as compared with the control group. On comparing both drugs, praziquantel induced a significant hepatotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. It was concluded that praziquantel is considered to be a hepatotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic drug. On the other hand, mirazid seemed to be a safe and promising antiparasitic drug, free from hepatotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic effects

Effect of mirazid [commiphora molmol] on experimental heterophyidiasis

Mirazid [MZ], an oleo-resin extract derived from Myrrh was reported in several experimental and clinical trails to be safe and effective against other trematodes like schistosomiasis and fascioliasis. This experimental work aimed at investigating the possible efficacy of MZ against heterophyids [Pygidiopsis genata], using praziquantel as a therapeutic control. Results showed that MZ in emulsion form is a promising drug for the treatment of heterophyidiasis, as proved by significant reduction of worm count, overt surface tegumental changes like deformity and erosion of tegumental spines observed by scanning electron microscope [SEM]. The effective dose regimen was 500 mg/kg/d for 3 successive days, produced 100% reduction in worm load. The proved efficacy of the drug, together with reported low toxicity, relative to praziquantel, favours its use as a natural new alternative therapy for the treatment of human heterophyidiasis