Naringenin mitigates experimental Trichinella spiralis infection in in vitro and in vivo studies

Bibliographic Information
Authors: El-Wakil E.S.; Alsulami M.N.
Journal: Scientific Reports
Publisher: Nature Research
Publication Date: 16 August 2026
Volume / Issue: Volume 16 / Issue 1
Article No.: 25528
ISSN: 20452322
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-64907-9
Scopus: View on Scopus
PubMed: 42604940
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
El-Wakil E.S., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, P.O. 30, Kornaish El-Nile St., Warrak El- Hadar, Imbaba, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Alsulami M.N., Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Trichinellosis is a global public health concern with significant clinical impact. Albendazole (ABZ) is the standard benzimidazole for trichinellosis; however, shortcomings limit its use, necessitating the search for effective natural substitutes. Naringenin (NAG), a natural phytochemical flavanone, has antiparasitic properties against both helminths and protozoa. This study assessed NAG’s potential therapeutic impact on experimental trichinellosis via in vitro and in vivo Studies. An in vitro experiment was performed to assess NAG’s direct anthelmintic action against adult Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) worms. Then, a mouse model of trichinellosis was used to evaluate NAG’s effectiveness in reducing worm and larval loads and assessing its influence on related pathological alterations. The adult worm survival demonstrated an evident in vitro anthelmintic effect of both NAG and ABZ, as documented by electron microscopy, in which the treated groups exhibited loss of their typical shape. Moreover, in the in vivo study, all treated groups showed a decrease in the mean adult intestinal worms and muscle larvae, significantly (P < 0.0001) compared with the model group, with the best reduction rates reported in the NAG + ABZ-treated group, which also reported the best histopathological improvement and the highest reduction in NF-κB expression. These findings concluded that NAG could be a promising natural therapeutic and enhancing agent for ABZ in combating trichinellosis. © The Author(s) 2026.
Keywords
Electron microscopy; In vitro; Mice; Naringenin; NF-κB; Trichinella spiralis; Albendazole; Animals; Anthelmintics; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Flavanones; Larva; Male; NF-kappa B; Trichinellosis; anthelmintic agent; flavanone derivative; immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein; animal; disease model; drug effect; drug therapy; metabolism; mouse; parasitology; pathology; trichinosis; ultrastructure
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 0
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