Therapeutic effects of Allium sativum and Allium cepa in Schistosoma mansoni experimental infection.

The effects of both garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa) on some biochemical parameters in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice individually and mixed either with or without the currently used drug, praziquantel (PZQ) were investigated. These involved some immunological parameters, namely IgM, IgG, interleukins 2 and 6 (IL-2 and 6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), some antioxidant enzymes [catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)]. In addition, parasitological and histopathological investigations were performed. No changes were observed in the normal control mice treated with dry extract of onion or garlic, individually or mixed, with or without PZQ, compared to the normal healthy control group. Infection with S. mansoni showed an increase in IgG, IgM, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and catalase enzyme, accompanied with a decrease in GPX and SOD antioxidant enzyme activities. Remarkable amelioration was noticed in the levels of all the measured parameters in S. mansoni infected mice after administration of the studied extracts. Moreover a significant reduction in worm burden, hepatic and intestinal eggs and oogram count was noticed which was reflected in normalization of liver architecture.

Therapeutic Effects of Allium sativum and Allium cepa in Schistosoma mansoni experimental infection / Efeitos terapêuticos do Allium sativum e Allium cepa na infecção experimental pelo Schistosoma mansoni

The effects of both garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa) on some biochemical parameters in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice individually and mixed either with or without the currently used drug, praziquantel (PZQ) were investigated. These involved some immunological parameters, namely IgM, IgG, interleukins 2 and 6 (IL-2 and 6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), some antioxidant enzymes [catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)]. In addition, parasitological and histopathological investigations were performed. No changes were observed in the normal control mice treated with dry extract of onion or garlic, individually or mixed, with or without PZQ, compared to the normal healthy control group. Infection with S. mansoni showed an increase in IgG, IgM, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and catalase enzyme, accompanied with a decrease in GPX and SOD antioxidant enzyme activities. Remarkable amelioration was noticed in the levels of all the measured parameters in S. mansoni infected mice after administration of the studied extracts. Moreover a significant reduction in worm burden, hepatic and intestinal eggs and oogram count was noticed which was reflected in normalization of liver architecture.

Os efeitos do alho (Allium sativum) e cebola (Allium cepa) em parâmetros bioquímicos de camundongos infectados pelo Schistosoma mansoni individualmente e misturados seja com ou sem as drogas correntemente usadas como o Praziquantel (PZQ), foram investigados. Isto envolveu parâmetros imunológicos tais como IgM, IgG, Interleucina 2 e 6 (IL-2 e 6), fator de necrose tumoral (TNF-α) e algumas enzimas anti-oxidantes [catalase, super-óxido dismutase (SOD) e glutationa peroxidase (GPX)]. Em adição foram realizadas investigações parasitológicas e histopatológicas. Nenhuma alteração foi observada nos camundongos controles normais tratados com extrato seco de cebola ou alho, individualmente ou misturado, com ou sem PZQ, comparados com os controles normais sadios. Infecção com o Schistosoma mansoni revelou um aumento em IgG, IgM, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α e catalase, acompanhados de diminuição do GPX e atividade enzimática do anti-oxidante SOD. Melhora acentuada foi notada nos níveis de todos os parâmetros medidos em camundongos infectados com Schistosoma mansoni após administração dos extratos estudados. Mais ainda, significante redução na quantidade de vermes, e ovos no fígado e intestino e na contagem do oograma foi notada refletindo a normalização da arquitetura do fígado.

Protective role of Juniperus phoenicea and Cupressus sempervirens against CCl(4).

AIM: To investigate the role of Cupressus sempervirens (C. sempervirens) and Juniperus phoenicea (J. phoenicea) extracts as therapeutic effect against CCl(4) with biochemical, histopathological evaluations. METHODS: A single intraperitoneal dose of 10% CCl(4) in olive oil (1 mL/kg body weight) was administered to a group of female Wister rats, sacrificed after 24 h (as the injury group). The other groups were given CCl(4) as described above and divided as follows: two groups of ten rats each were orally administered either J. phoenicea extract or C. sempervirens extract three times per week for six weeks and a further group administered CCl(4) was left for six weeks to allow self-recovery. At the end of experiment, the rats from all groups were sacrificed for sampling and for biochemical and histological analysis. RESULTS: Remarkable disturbances were observed in the levels of all tested parameters. On the other hand, rats injected with the toxic agent and left for one and a half month to self recover showed moderate improvements in the studied parameters while, treatment with both medicinal herbal extracts ameliorated the levels of the disturbed biochemical parameters. The group treated with J. phoenicea extract showed a remarkable improvement in comparison to the CCl(4) treated group. The C. sempervirens group revealing an even more remarkable effect showing histopathological liver& kidney profiles close to those of the control group. CONCLUSION: C. sempervirens and J. phoenicea leaf extracts show a remarkable effect in enhancing liver and kidney functions and may thus be of therapeutic potential in treatment hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.