Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is caused by an opportunistic protozoan parasite (Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis) known as a parasite of humans, especially children and immunocompromised patients. The current study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a mixture of fig and olive leaf extracts as an alternative medicinal plant. Parasitological examination for oocysts in the stool and histopathological alterations in the small intestines were examined. Additionally, biochemical analyses of liver and kidney functions in addition to antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and catalase (CAT) in the plasma were evaluated. Our results showed that marked reduction in oocysts shedding and amelioration in intestinal histopathological changes and hepatic or renal functions were detected in all treated groups compared to the control infected group. Additionally, the treated groups with tested extracts at ratios 1:3 and 1:5 showed a significant decrease in the number of oocysts compared to the other treated groups. Results exhibited a significant increase in the plasma SOD, CAT and GSH levels in treated groups compared to the infected control one. This study suggested that a mixture of fig and olive leaf extracts is a convenient promising therapeutic agent for Cryptosporidiosis.
Highlights
Cryptosporidiosis is an opportunistic globally distributed parasitic disease caused by protozoan Cryptosporidium [1]
The shedding oocyst in the stool was observed with Modified Ziehl–Neelsen stain (MZN) stain as spherical pink organisms (Figure 2)
The drug-treated group (GIII) showed high significant changes in ALT levels (p < 0.0001) compared to both normal and infected control groups (GI and GII) with a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in AST level compared to the infected control group (GII) and high significant increase (p < 0.001) in blood urea levels compared to the normal control (GI)
Summary
Cryptosporidiosis is an opportunistic globally distributed parasitic disease caused by protozoan Cryptosporidium [1]. Oxidative stress and free radicals production occur as a result of glucose metabolization for energy production and parasite growth. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) acts as a first line of defense, as it prevents the formation of new radicals and converts the existing molecules into less harmful ones This occurs through dismutation of superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxygen that participates in neutralization and depletion of toxic free radicals. Glutathione (GSH) plays an important role in counteracting oxidative damage and cell death [10,11] These antioxidant enzymes play an important role in scavenging reactive oxygen species such as super oxide and hydrogen peroxide and protect the cell against oxidative stress and, cell death [12,13,14,15,16]
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