Potential therapeutic and prophylactic effects of Asafoetida in murine cryptosporidiosis

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Abdelmaksoud H.F.; El-Ashkar A.M.; Elgohary S.A.; El-Wakil E.S.
Journal: Journal of Parasitic Diseases
Publisher: Springer
Publication Date: 15 July 2020
Volume / Issue: Volume 44 / Issue 3
Pages: 646–653
ISSN: 9717196
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01241-5
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Green Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
Abdelmaksoud H.F., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; El-Ashkar A.M., Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia; Elgohary S.A., Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; El-Wakil E.S., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is an important coccidian parasite that could infect the intestine, respiratory and biliary tracts of man and animals. This study aims to test the potential therapeutic and prophylactic effects of a natural herbal agent (Asafoetida) versus the nowadays drug of choice (Nitazoxanide). Fifty bred female, white Albino mice of CDI strain were divided into 5 groups; group I (GI): immunosuppressed, infected with C. parvum and treated with Asafoetida, group II (GII): immunosuppressed, prophylactically treated with Asafoetida for 7 days prior to infection, group III (GIII): immunosuppressed, infected and treated with Nitazoxanide, group IV (GIV): immunosuppressed and infected (Positive control), group V (GV): immunosuppressed and non infected (Negative control). Parasitological and histopatholgical examinations of the stool, ileocaecal and liver specimens were performed for the study groups. GI showed reduction of the mean oocyst count in stool with improvement of the pathological changes at the ileocaecal region with preservation of hepatic architecture. Results of GI were better than GII and GIV but not as good as GIII. GII showed the least improvement among the test groups. GIII showed the best response between the test groups. GIV show no statistical significant difference between the mean oocyst count in the mice stool at the time of infection and 7 days after infection. It was therefore concluded that Asafoetida is a promising natural therapeutic and prophylactic agent against cryptosporidiosis while, Nitazoxanide is the best chemotherapeutic agent against cryptosporidiosis. © 2020, Indian Society for Parasitology.
Keywords
Asafoetida; Cryptosporidium parvum; Nitazoxanide; alcohol; Asafoetida powder; dexamethasone sodium phosphate; diagnostic agent; eosin; formaldehyde; hematoxylin; herbaceous agent; methanol; paraffin; phosphate buffered saline; plant medicinal product; unclassified drug; zheil nelsen stain solution; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; Article; controlled study; cryptosporidiosis; experimental parasitosis; feces analysis; female; histology; histopathology; immunosuppressive treatment; inoculation; microscopy; mouse; nonhuman; oocyst; oocyst count; parasite examination; parasitological parameters; priority journal; prophylaxis; ruminant; therapy effect
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 17
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