Anti-cryptosporidial activity of Camellia sinensis (green tea extract) in experimentally infected immunocompromised mice

Bibliographic Information
Authors: El-Wakil E.S.; Mohamed E.A.; El-Wakil E.A.; Aboushousha T.S.; Amer N.M.
Journal: Acta Protozoologica
Publisher: Komitet Słowianoznawstwa PAN
Publication Date: 2022
Volume / Issue: Volume 61
Pages: 23–34
ISSN: 651583
DOI: 10.4467/16890027AP.22.002.16205
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
El-Wakil E.S., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Mohamed E.A., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; El-Wakil E.A., Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Aboushousha T.S., Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Amer N.M., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum, an Apicomplexan parasite, is an important cause of diarrheal disease, especially in immunodeficient hosts. Nevertheless, there is no entirely successful therapeutic agent against cryptosporidiosis to date. Hence, this study aims to test the potential prophylactic and therapeutic effect of Camellia sinensis (green tea extract) in dexamethasone immunosuppressed mice versus the nowadays used drug, Nitazoxanide (NTZ). Parasitological and molecular methods were used to characterize Cryptosporidium oocysts before infection. Fifty bred female Swiss Albino mice were divided into 5 groups; group I (GI)(GTP): immunosuppressed and prophylactically treated with green tea extract for 5 days prior to infection, group II (GII)(GTT): immunosuppressed, infected with Cryptosporidium parvum and treated with green tea extract, group III (GIII)(NT): immunosuppressed, infected and treated with NTZ, group IV (GIV)(PC): immunosuppressed and infected (Positive control), group V (GV)(NC): immunosuppressed and non-infected (Negative control). Furthermore, parasitological examination for oocysts in the stool, and histopathological examination for the small intestine and liver specimens were performed for the study groups. Cryptosporidium oocysts used for induction of infection proved to be Cryptosporidium parvum genotype 2. Moreover, a significant oocyst reduction in fecal samples correlated with an improvement of histopathological changes in the small intestinal and liver tissues in GI(GTP), GII (GTT) and GIII(NT) groups. Besides, the GII(GTT) group showed the best improvement in parasitological and histopathological parameters among the test groups.This study revealed that Camellia sinensis (green tea extract) has potential activity against cryptosporidiosis and could serve as a promising prophylactic and therapeutic anti-cryptosporidial agent. © 2022, Komitet Słowianoznawstwa PAN. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Camellia sinensis (green tea extract); Cryptosporidium parvum; Histopathology; Nitazoxanide
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 11
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