ABSTRACT
Cryptosporidiosis is a serious intestinal disease affecting mal-nourished children and immunocompromised individuals with severe fatal diarrhea. Our present work was done to evaluate the possible curative effects of different essential oils (Mint, Thyme, Chamomile and Basil) on Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) in vivo compared with nitazoxanide (NTZ). Seventy immunosuppressed white Albino male mice were allocated in 7 groups as follows: group I infected and not treated (Positive control), group II (GII) treated with NTZ, group III (GIII) treated with Mint essential oil, group IV (GIV) treated with Thyme essential oil, group V (GV) treated with Chamomile essential oil, group VI (GVI) treated with Basil essential oil and group VII (GVII) naïve not infected mice (Negative control). Evaluation was done using parasitological, histopatholgical, serological as well as biochemical methods. All study groups revealed significant reduction (P value < 0.01) in the mean number of C. parvum oocysts in stool. Results of GII were the best with 87.7% reduction in the oocysts count followed by GIII (77.9%), GIV (74.7%), GVI (68.2%) and lastly GV (67.2%). Improvement of the histopathological damage in the small intestine was shown in treated groups. All treated mice showed significant upregulation in the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels, significant reduction in the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels (P value < 0.0001). It is concluded that Mint, Thyme, Chamomile and Basil oils showed promising anti-cryptosporidial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium parvum is a dangerous intestinal pathogen due to its devastating effect on immunocompromised individuals. Considering low efficacy, high toxicity in addition to the development of resistance for the drugs used, this study aimed to find a new alternative treatment having the advantage of lower doses and minimal toxicity. We used a novel combination between artesunate loaded polymeric nanofiber (ALPN) and nanazoxide that had not been tried yet. METHODS: Sixty Swiss Albino mice aged 6-7 wk, weighting 20-24 gm were used in Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) Cairo, Egypt in 2017. C. parvum oocysts collected from patients were identified by polymerase chain reaction to be used for infecting animals. The effect of combination between ALPN and nana-zoxide were assessed by oocyst count in stool of experimental animals using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain and histopathological changes in intestinal tissue. Antioxidant activity of nanofiber-loaded artesunate was estimated in serum, renal, hepatic and intestinal tissues by demonstrating the reactive oxygen species and the total antioxidant capacity. It was confirmed by detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) antibody. RESULTS: The novel combination between ALPN and nanazoxidehas a harmonizing effect in reducing oocyst shedding (94.4%), the mean value of the antioxidant levels in liver, intestine, kidney, and serum were the highest level (10.15, 22.4, 6.22, 14.08 respectively) resulting in the decrease of oxidative stress in tissues. Marked improvement of histopathological features was obtained. CONCLUSION: This combination has a promising therapeutic effect against cryptosporidiosis particularly in immunocompromised individuals considering minor toxicity.
