Global Advanced Research Journal of Educational Research and Reviews (GARJERR) ISSN: 2315-5132

February 2020, 9(2): pp. 009-013

Copyright © 2020 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of some natural plant extracts on experimental cryptosporidiosis 

Hagar Abdel Maksoud⁽¹⁾,   Hoda  Sabry⁽¹⁾,  Soheir Mahmoud⁽¹⁾, Nevine Guirguis ⁽¹⁾, Rabab S. Zalat ⁽¹⁾ Wafaa EL Komy⁽¹⁾ , and Shaimaa El-Gohary⁽²⁾.

⁽¹⁾Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research institute, Imbaba, Egypt. ⁽²⁾Medical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

Corresponding Author Email: nevinenessimtadros@gmail.com    

Accepted 03 February, 2020

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) is a coccidian protozoon causing cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease of the mammalian intestinal tract. It is considered to be the most important waterborne diarrhoeic pathogen in developing countries. Infection causes drastic and retractable diarrhoea with dehydration. But unfortunately, this protozoon resists all levels of chlorination ever-known. The present work aims at evaluating the effect of both naural extracts: lauric acid (monolaurin or coconut), and ginger in C. parvum infected mice. Fifty laboratory bred albino mice were used in the experiment. Animals were divided into 5 groups: Group 1: infected treated with Lauric acid. Group 2: infected treated with ginger. Group 3: infected given combined half doses of both Lauric acid and ginger. Group 4: infected treated with Nitazoxanide antiparasitic drug (infected treated control). Group 5: infected untreated control. Drugs were given for seven consecutive days, followed by sacrifice of all mice. Stool samples were collected for oocysts count. In addition, histopathological examination of upper part of the small intestine was done, and the duodenal contents were examined for oocysts count. There was a significant reduction in C. parvum oocysts count following treatment. The highest percentage of reduction was noticed in the Nitazoxanide treated group (96.7%), followed by Lauric acid (92.5%), followed by the combined treated group (84.4%).  At last, came the Ginger treated group (72.3%). Histopathological examination revealed complete healing of intestinal mucosa after nitazoxanide treatment, while partial healing of the lining intestinal epithelium was noticed after lauric acid, ginger and combined treatment. In conclusion, this study showed that Lauric acid (monolaurin) or coconut offers an alternative or concurrent therapy to the conventional anti- cryptosporidial drugs. The best cure rates were obtained following treatment with Nitazoxanide followed by Lauric acid.

Keywords: Cryptosporidium, Mice, Lauric acid, Nitazoxanide, Coconut, Ginger.