Evaluation of anthelminthic activity of both pomegranate peels and Artemisia herba-Alba extracts in comparison with praziquantel in experimentally infected mice with Hymenolepis nana

Abstract

Background Praziquantel (PZQ), is the drug of choice in the treatment of Hymenolepis nana infection, although it has some adverse effects (side effects and toxicity). Natural biological products that have minimal side effects and more safe. Many researchers demonstrated the antimicrobial and antiparasitic therapeutic effect of pomegranate and Artemisia. Objective Our study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effect of pomegranate and Artemisia as an alternative treatment in H. nana infection. Subjects and Methods 32 male albino mice were inoculated with human fecal sediments containing H. nana eggs (about 100 eggs/gm) and were divided into four groups after proven to be infected with H. nana: Group 1; treated with Pomegranate peels extract, Group 2; treated with Artemisia herb-Alba extract, Group 3; treated with PZQ, and finally, Group 4; treated with Pomegranate peels and Artemisia herb-Alba mixture’ extract. Results Both Pomegranate peels and Artemisia herb-Alba extracts presented a significant decrease (P-value = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively) in the number of viable eggs after 7 days of treatment in comparison to the first day. Pomegranate peels and Artemisia herb-Alba extracts ‘results established anthelmintic effect against H. nana. Conclusion Our results showed that both Pomegranate peels and/or Artemisia herb-Alba extracts can be used as alternative, less expensive and more safe therapeutic approach in H. nana infection.