Effects of Allium sativum on IFN-γ and IL4 concentrations in mice with cystic echinococcosis.

The aim of the current investigation was to assess the impacts of methanolic extract of Allium sativum (MEAS) on IL-4 (a cytokine derived from Th2 cells) and IFN-É£ (a cytokine derived from Th1 cells) levels in mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus. Sixty healthy BALB/c female mice were used in this study. Each animal was intraperitoneally injected with 1500 protoscoleces. The infected animals were randomly divided into six groups: albendazole (100 mg/kg), MEAS 10 (10 mg/kg), MEAS 20 (20 mg/kg), MEAS 40 (40 mg/kg), MEAS 80 (80 mg/kg) and control group with no treatment. The studied animals received albendazole and/or MEAS through drinking water for 30 days. Serum IFN-γ concentration significantly increased in the MEAS 20 and 80 groups in comparison to the control, albendazole and MEAS 10 groups (P < 0.05). The serum IL-4 level showed no significant difference between the trial groups. The findings of this study showed that MEAS at 20 and 80 mg/kg concentrations enhanced Th1 cell response in mice with cystic echinococcosis.

Allium Sativum Methanolic Extract (garlic) Improves Therapeutic Efficacy of Albendazole Against Hydatid Cyst: In Vivo Study.

After gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of prepared methanolic extract of Allium sativum, 40 laboratory BALB/c mice were infected intraperitoneally by injection of 1,500 viable protoscoleces. Five months after infection, the infected mice were allocated into four treatment groups, including 1- Albendazole (100 mg/kg); 2- Allium sativum methanolic extract (10 mL/L); 3- A. sativum methanolic extract (10 mL/L) + Albendazole (50 mg /kg); and 4- untreated control group. After 30 days of daily treatment, total number and weight of cysts and size of the largest cyst as well as blood serum bilirubin and liver enzymes were compared between the mice of different groups.The total number and weight of cysts and size of the largest cyst were significantly lower in treated groups A. sativum 10 mL/L + Albendazole 50 and Albendazole 100 in comparison to those of the control group (p < 0.05).The activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme and bilirubin concentration were significantly lower in the mice treated with A. sativum 10 mL/L and A. sativum 10 mL/L + Albendazole 50, when compared to the control group. In addition, bilirubin concentration revealed significant decrease in A. sativum 10 mL/L and A. sativum 10 mL/L + Albendazole 50 groups, when compared to the Albendazole group. In conclusion, administration of A. sativum 10 mL/L improved the anti-hydatidosis activity of Albendazole 50 mg /kg, due to parasitological effects similar to Albendazole 100 mg /kg but less hepatotoxic effects.

In vivo therapeutic efficacy of the Allium sativum ME in experimentally Echinococcus granulosus infected mice.

Plant-based anthelmintics suggest an alternative treatment for cystic echinococcosis. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of methanolic extract (ME) of A. sativum (garlic) on the treatment of hydatid cysts in the murine model. After gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of prepared ME, sixty laboratory BALB/c mice were infected intraperitoneally by injection of 1500 viable protoscoleces. Five months after infection, the infected mice were allocated into six treatment groups, 1- Albendazole (100 mg/kg); 2- Allium sativum ME (10 mL/L); 3- A. sativum ME (20 mL/L); 4- A. sativum ME (40 mL/L); 5- A. sativum ME (80 mL/L) and 6- untreated control group. After 30 days of daily treatment, the total number of cysts, size and weight of the largest cyst were significantly lower in three treated groups including A. sativum ME 80 mL/L, A. sativum ME 40 mL /L and albendazole in comparison to those of the control group (p < 0.05). The activity of alanine amino transferase (ALT) enzyme, as well as bilirubin concentration were significantly lower in the mice treated with A. sativum ME 80, 40, 20 and 10 mL/L when compared to the control group. In addition, bilirubin concentration revealed significant decrease in A. sativum ME 10, 20 and 80 mL/L groups, when compared to the albendazole group. In conclusions, administration of A. sativum ME used at 40 and 80 mL/L concentrations might be beneficial in the treatment of CE due to anti-parasitic effects similar to albendazole but less hepatotoxic effects.

Zataria multiflora would attenuate the hepatotoxicity of long-term albendazole treatment in mice with cystic echinococcosis.

Hepatic injury is the major limitation of long-term albendazole administration in patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE), which could give rise to cessation of treatment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of Zataria multiflora aromatic water (AW) against the hepatic injury induced by long-term albendazole treatment in mice with CE. Fifty healthy BALB/c female mice were infected intraperitoneally by injection of 1500 protoscoleces per animal. Five months after infection, the infected animals were divided into five treatment groups including Z. multiflora (40ml/l in drinking water for 90days), albendazole (200mg/kg/day for 90days), Z. multiflora+albendazole 200 (40ml/l Z. multiflora and 200mg/kg/day albendazole for 90days), Z. multiflora+albendazole100 (40ml/l Z. multiflora and 100mg/kg/day albendazole for 90days), and untreated (control) group. At the end of the treatment period, anesthesia was performed and blood samples were collected directly from the heart prior to euthanasia. Liver variables and oxidative stress markers were measured in the blood serum samples. A decrease in serum liver enzyme activity in the both Z. multiflora+albendazole groups was observed when compared to control, Z. multiflora and albendazole groups; however, the results for Z. multiflora+albendazole 100 were significant (p<0.007) and superior compared to those for Z. multiflora+albendazole 200. No significant differences for oxidative stress markers were observed between the different groups. The results of the present study revealed that a combined therapy with Z. multiflora AW and albendazole is effective against hepatic injury induced by CE and/or long term albendazole administration in mice with cystic echinococcosis.

Methylmercury-induced oxidative stress in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver: ameliorating effect of vitamin C.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate methylmercury-induced alterations in hepatic enzymes and oxidative stress markers in liver tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by using a perfusion method, and to explore possible protective effect of vitamin C against these alterations. Forty-eight fish were divided into six groups containing control, test, and amelioration groups. The liver of fish in the test groups were exposed to different doses of methylmercury, i.e., 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 µg L(-1), respectively, for 120 min. In the amelioration group, liver was treated with vitamin C (17.2 µg L(-1)) along with high dose (2.4 µg L(-1)) of methylmercury. The results of the present study showed that exposure with 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 µg L(-1) of methylmercury significantly increased (p < 0.05) hepatic enzyme activities (alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, as a marker of lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity of the liver decreased (p < 0.05) in the methylmercury-exposed groups when compared to the control group. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between MDA concentration and ALT, AST, and LDH activities in the methylmercury groups, suggesting that the enhanced lipid peroxidation may be linked to hepatic damage caused by methylmercury. Treatment with vitamin C in methylmercury-exposed group led to a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in MDA concentration and hepatic enzyme activities and significant increase (p < 0.05) in levels of GSH and total antioxidant capacity. The values of measured parameters in the methylmercury + vitamin C group were comparable to those of the control group. The results of the present study demonstrated that methylmercury exposure induces oxidative stress in the liver of rainbow trout and treatment with vitamin C can protect fish liver against this oxidative insult.