Global Advanced Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences (GARJMMS) ISSN: 2315-5159
March 2016 Issue Vol. 5(3), pp. 088-095
Copyright © 2016 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Therapeutic effect of Phoenix dactylifera  against cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised mice

Naksheen Merza Mahmood^1,2*_, Nadia Farid Ramadan², Shadia Mohamed Hassan², HodaYaaqob Sabry³ and Mona Mohamed Magdy⁴

¹Biology Department, College of Science for Woman, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
²Zoology Department, College of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
³Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba 0200, Egypt
⁴Pathology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba 0200, Egypt

*Corresponding Author E-mail: naksheen_ardalan@yahoo.com 

Accepted 24 March, 2016

Abstract

Cryptosporidium infection can cause severe consequences in immunodeficient hosts, yet no effective drug therapy has been approved till now. Thus, it is increasingly necessary for evaluating new potential drugs against Cryptosporidium in immunocompromised patients. The strain of Cryptosporidium was identified using nested PCR and revealed C. parvum. The present work was carried out to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera fruits against C. parvum in immunosuppressed mice. Then, the anticryptosporidial and anti-inflammatory effects were studied through evaluation of oocyst output, immunological parameter (INF-γ and IL-10). Very high statistically significant (p< 0.001) were seen post treatment with P.dactylifera, the percentage reduction of oocysts in feaces was 88.21%. Both cytokines INF-γ and IL-10 were increased before and after treatment with P.dactylifera when compared to control normal mice. Histopathological and electron microscopic examination revealed complete healing of intestinal mucosa after 21 days of treatment. Conclusion: Phoenix dactylifera is a promising anticryptosporidial global treatment without side effects on immunosuppressed host.

Keywords: Phoenix dactylifera, Cryptosporidiumparvum, IL-10, IFN-γ, immunosuppressed.