Antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and ameliorative effects of Azadirachta indica on Eimeria papillata-induced infection in mice

Abstract

Azadirachta indica (neem) is used in traditional medicine for its pharmacological properties. Here, we investigated the effects of neem on the outcome of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria papillata in mice. Coccidiosis was induced by infection of mice with 103 sporulated oocysts of E. papillata. The methanolic extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves (500 mg/kg) was used in vivo for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Anticoccidial and anti-inflammatory activities of neem were determined through oocyst output and liver histopathology, respectively. The data showed that mice infected with E. papillata revealed an output of about 6.5×105 oocysts per gram faeces on day 4 postinoculation (p.i.). This output is significantly decreased to about 2.7×105 oocysts in neem-treated mice. Infection caused a marked liver injury as indicated by histopathological alterations as well as the significant increase in liver aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilurubin. Also, infection induced a significant increase in nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MAD), and a significant decrease in glutathione (GSH). The methanolic extract of A. indica leaves showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) hepatoprotective potential by improving the above mentioned parameters. Based on these results, it is concluded that A. indica leaves contain potent antioxidant compounds that could offer protection against hepatotoxicity as well as ameliorate preexisting liver damage and oxidative stress conditions. Key words: Neem, liver, Eimeria papillata, oxidative stress, mice.