Evaluation of anthelminthic and antiprotozoal activity of myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) methanolic extract.

To treat and control parasitic infections, traditional medical remedies using plant products are utilized as antiparasitic agents rather than standard synthetic chemicals due to drug resistance. Myrrh, a resinous exudate of Commiphora myrrha (Burseraceae), is a powerful antioxidant with a variety of medicinal uses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the myrrh methanolic extract (MyE) of three concentrations (100, 50, and 25 mg/ml) on the sporulation of oocysts and as an anthelminthic effector via in vitro study. Characterization of the plant was done by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The earthworm, Eisenia fetida, is used as a model worm to evaluate the anthelminthic activity of MyE. Eimeria labbeana-like oocysts are used as a model protozoan parasite in anticoccidial assays. The sporulation and inhibition (%) of E. labbeana-like were assessed by MyE compared to other chemical substances. FT-IR revealed the presence of twelve active compounds. Our results showed that paralysis and death of earthworms at MyE (100 mg/ml) were 7.88 ± 0.37 and 9.24 ± 0.60 min, respectively, which is more potency when compared to mebendazole (reference drug). In all treated worms, microscopic examinations revealed obvious surface architecture abnormality. This study shows that MyE affects oocysts sporulation in a dose-dependent manner. At 24 and 36 hr, a high concentration of MyE (100 mg/ml) inhibits sporulation by 90.95 and 87.17 %. At 36 hr, other concentrations of MyE (50 and 25 mg/ml), as well as amprolium, DettolTM, and phenol inhibits oocyst sporulation by 40.17 %, 29.34 %, 45.09 %, 85.11 %, and 61.58 %, respectively. According to our research, the MyE extract had powerful anthelmintic and anticoccidial properties.

Plasmodium chabaudi-infected mice spleen response to synthesized silver nanoparticles from Indigofera oblongifolia extract.

Malaria is a worldwide serious-threatening infectious disease caused by Plasmodium and the parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs has confirmed a significant obstacle to novel therapeutic antimalarial drugs. In this article, we assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of nanoparticles prepared from Indigofera oblongifolia extract (AgNPs) against the infection with Plasmodium chabaudi caused in mice spleen. AgNPs could significantly suppress the parasitaemia caused by the parasite to approximately 98% on day 7 postinfection with P. chabaudi and could improve the histopathological induced spleen damage. Also, AgNPs were able to increase the capsule thickness of the infected mice spleen. In addition, the AgNPs functioned as an antioxidant agent that affects the change in glutathione, nitric oxide and catalase levels in the spleen. Moreover spleen IL1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α-mRNA expression was regulated by AgNPs administration to the infected mice. These results indicated the anti-oxidant and the anti-inflammatory protective role of AgNPs against P. chabaudi-induced spleen injury.

Anticoccidial and antiinflammatory activity of garlic in murine Eimeria papillata infections.

Coccidiosis with the protozoan parasite Eimeria as the infectious agent causes enormous economic losses, particularly in poultry farms. Here, we investigated the effects of garlic on the outcome of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria papillata in male Balb/c mice. The data showed that mice infected with E. papillata revealed an output of 3260 ± 680 oocysts per gram faeces on day 4 p.i.. This output is significantly decreased to 1820 ± 415 oocysts in garlic-treated mice. Infection also induced inflammation and injury of the liver. This was evidenced (i) as increases in inflammatory cellular infiltrations, dilated sinusoids, and vacuolated hepatocytes, (ii) as increased mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and of the cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), (iii) as increased plasma levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase and total bilirubin, (iv) as increased production of nitric oxide derived products (nitrite/nitrate) and malondialdehyde, and (v) as lowered glutathione levels and decreased activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, respectively. All these infection-induced parameters were significantly less altered during garlic treatment. In particular, garlic counteracted the E. papillata-induced loss of glutathione and the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Our data indicated that garlic treatment significantly attenuated inflammation and injury of the liver induced by E. papillata infections.