Immune Response and Antischistosomal Effect of the Thymoquinone Bioactive Compound from Nigella Sativa Loaded with Chitosan Nanoparticles

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: El-Menyawy H.M.; Metwally K.M.; Aly I.R.; Youssef A.A.; Abo Elqasem A.A.

Journal: Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries

Publisher: Egyptian Society for the Development of Fisheries and Human Health

Publication Date: 1 September 2022

Volume / Issue: Volume 26 / Issue 5

Pages: 1375–1392

ISSN: 11106131

DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2022.268786

Scopus: View on Scopus

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

El-Menyawy H.M., Parasitology, Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Girls Branch), Cairo, Egypt; Metwally K.M., Parasitology, Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Girls Branch), Cairo, Egypt; Aly I.R., Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Youssef A.A., Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Abo Elqasem A.A., Immunology, Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Girls Branch), Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Schistosoma mansoni is a parasite that causes schistosomiasis, a disease that impacts millions of individuals globally. Since traditional chemical medicines are less effective against schistosomiasis because of the emergence of drug-resistant worm strains, experimenting with novel natural cures is a successful way to combat the disease. This research aimed to clarify the immune and antischistosomal effects of the bioactive compound thymoquinone from Nigella sativa loaded with chitosan nanoparticles. Five groups of mice were adjusted, with group 1 for the negative control group (non-infected and non-treated). The following 4 groups were infected with S. mansoni cercariae. Group 2 was positive control (infected and non-treated). While, the mice in group 3 were infected and treated with thymoquinone. Group 4 was infected and treated by thymoquinone loaded with chitosan nanoparticles. Group 5: Infected and praziquantel-treated. Following the eighth week after infection, all mice were slaughtered. In mice treated with thymoquinone loaded with chitosan nanoparticles, the overall worm load and ova count in intestinal tissue and hepatic tissue were significantly reduced, and the mean number of dead eggs increased significantly. Comparing the serum total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 immunoglobulin isotypes with the control group, as well as IgM antibodies against Schistosoma mansoni infection, they were considerably higher in the groups that received treatment. Therefore, it can be concluded that thymoquinone extracts from N. sativa appear to be a possible natural compound for the schistosomiasis treatment, particularly when combined with chitosan nanoparticles. © 2022, Egyptian Society for the Development of Fisheries and Human Health. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Chitosan nanoparticles; Humoral immunity; Nigella sativa; Praziquantel; Schistosoma mansoni; Thymoquinone

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 2

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