Lagenaria sicerariaseed oil extract showed therapeutic activity against chronic experimental cryptosporidiosis and modulated the intestinal CD4 profile in dexamethasone-treated mice with weak prophylactic activity

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Fahmy M.-E.A.; Badawi M.

Journal: Journal of Parasitic Diseases

Publisher: Springer

Publication Date: 2026-07-11

ISSN: 9717196

DOI: 10.1007/s12639-026-01975-8

Scopus: View article on Scopus

Document Type: Article

Authors and Affiliations

Fahmy M.-E.A., Medical Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Giza, Egypt; Badawi M., Department of Pathology, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. is known as an opportunistic parasitic infection with serious consequences in immunocompromised patients. The effectiveness of the only FDA-approved drug for cryptosporidiosis, nitazoxanide (NTZ), depends on the immune status of the host, being less effective in immunocompromised hosts. Finding herbal therapeutic and prophylactic alternatives is a current trend. In order to evaluate the efficacy of Lagenaria siceraria seed oil extract (LSSO) against Cryptosporidium parvum infection, we used 65 male Swiss albino CD1 mice divided into 7 groups: the normal group (N); in addition to 6 dexamethasone (DEX)-treated groups (DEX-only (C), infected-only (Inf), NTZ-treated (NTZ), received LSSO as prophylaxis-only (LS1), received LSSO as prophylaxis and treatment (LS2), and LSSO as treatment-only (LS3). The parasite shedding was calculated, the histopathological changes were assessed, and the local intestinal CD4 expression was evaluated. The results showed the effectiveness of LSSO in treating the infection significantly, as in LS3. When administered as both prophylactic and therapeutic remedy (LS2), the LSSO achieved the best reduction rate (69%), best histopathological improvement, and a significant increase in CD4 expression (4.144 ± 0.38) (P < 0.05) with area percentage close to the normal immunocompetent group (3.34 ± 0.39). However, when LSSO was used as a prophylactic only, it was less effective in reducing parasitic load (45.9% reduction rate) with unpredictable significant upregulation of local CD4 (10.456 ± 0.4), raising important questions about the immunological role played by LSSO during chronic cryptosporidiosis. In-depth immunological studies are recommended at different phases of infection to explore the exact immunoregulatory role of LSSO, whether used as a preventive or therapeutic agent. © Indian Society for Parasitology 2026.

Keywords

Cryptosporidiosis; Herbal; Intestinal CD4; Lagenaria siceraria; Prophylaxis; Seed oil

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0

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