Infected Untreated Group Research Articles

Ameliorating effects of antibiotic alternatives on the performance and pathological parameters of Salmonella Typhimurium infected broiler chickens.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thyme oil (TO), chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs), and TO-loaded-CS-NPs on controlling Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) infection in broiler chickens when compared to ciprofloxacin (Cip) antibiotic treatment. The CS-NPs and TO-loaded-CS-NPs were initially characterized using a transmission electron microscope. Two hundred and forty broiler chicks were divided into six equal groups. Group 1 was given TO (1ml/4L of the drinking water). However, group 2 and group 3 were given CS-NPs and TO-loaded-CS-NPs in a 2 ml/chick dose by oral gavage. Group 4 was given a Cip (0.5g/mL of drinking water). Treatments started on the 20th day of age and continued for 5 successive days. Each chicken in groups 1-5 was orally infected with 1ml of 1×109CFU/ml S. Typhimurium 14 days old. Chickens in group 6 were kept as blank control negative without treatment or infection. All groups were kept for 4 weeks post-infection to record clinical observations, performance parameters, the shedding rate of S. Typhimurium, and the histopathological parameters of different organs. Results showed that the infected untreated group had the lowest performance (BWT: 2164.60±31.90), with the highest bacterial count (BC) (8.56±0.14) and lesion scores. The best results were obtained in response to TO-loaded-CS-NPs (BWT: 2422.70±51.15 and BC: 6.62±0.32) and Cip (BWT: 2431.50±40.01 and BC: 5.32±0.16). Therefore, it is recommended to use TO-loaded-CS-NPs as an alternative antibacterial agent in controlling S. Typhimurium infection without taking the risk of developing resistant bacterial strains as with antibiotics.

Antiparasitic and antioxidant effects of selenium nanoparticles on parasitic Trichinellaspiralis.

This study presents a comprehensive methodology for the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) for their anthelmintic properties against Trichinella spiralis. SeNPs were synthesized via a chemical reduction method, with a color change from clear white to brownish-red indicating nanoparticle formation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed broad peaks at 2θ ranges of 20-33° and 48-58°, confirming the semi-crystalline nature of the nanoparticles. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy identified a characteristic peak at around 295nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed spherical, monodispersed SeNPs with smooth surfaces, ranging from 30 to 106nm in size, with an average diameter of 69nm. Forty-two male rats were divided into six groups, including healthy controls and T. spiralis-infected rats treated with varying doses of SeNPs. Body and organ weight indexes were assessed at the start, during the intestinal and muscular phases. Significant body weight increases were observed during the intestinal phase, particularly in the positive control group. Organ weight analysis showed a significant decrease in liver weight in the high-dose SeNP group compared to controls. SeNP treatment significantly reduced the number of adult worms in the intestines and encysted larvae in muscles. The high-dose group reduced adult worms and encysted larvae more than the low-dose group. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed morphological alterations in adult T. spiralis worms, including wrinkled architecture, torn cuticles, and severe sloughing in high-dose treated worms. During the muscular phase, significant decreases in hemoglobin and red blood cell count were observed in the positive control group, while SeNP treatment restored these levels. Liver enzyme activities (AST, ALT, and ALP) were elevated in infected untreated groups but were enhanced with SeNP treatment. Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, and SOD) increased in SeNP-treated groups, with higher doses showing greater efficacy in reducing oxidative stress markers (MDA) and inflammatory markers (TNF-α, and IL-6). Histological analysis showed significant restoration of normal intestinal architecture in high-dose SeNP-treated infected rats, including the reduction of villus atrophy and leukocyte infiltration. In diaphragm muscles, high-dose SeNP treatment minimized encysted larval deposition and restored normal muscle architecture. We can conclude that the study demonstrates the potential of SeNPs as an effective anthelmintic agent against T. spiralis, highlighting their synthesis, characterization, and therapeutic efficacy.

Efficacy of Paromomycin-Conjugated Nano Chitosan in Treating Entamoeba histolytica Infection in Mice

Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite that causes amebiasis, a disease widespread in developing countries. This parasite primarily attacks the colon, producing ulceration of the colon's intestinal epithelial cells; nevertheless, the infection can spread to the liver, resulting in liver abscesses. The present study aimed to investigate treatment solutions for amebiasis. The chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized using the Ultrasonic method, and the antibiotic paromomycin was conjugated with the nanoparticles. seventy Swiss albino male mice infected with E. histolytica were treated with antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles, and the response to treatment was evaluated using liver enzymes (Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and Aspartate transaminase (AST). The study's findings revealed that The AST, ALT, and ALP activities increased significantly in the infected untreated group as they were 102.84±8.89, 104.06 ±7.50, and 533.41±21.18 (U/L) for AST, ALT, and ALP respectively; as for the groups that were infected and treated, they showed an improvement and a significant decrease in the concentration of liver enzymes for all treatments. The treatment of infected mice with 75% nano chitosan + 25% paromomycin showed the best therapeutic effect concerning AST and ALP as it minimized the levels of these enzymes as (62.12± 9.46) and (439.4527.43) (U/L) respectively, while for ALT enzyme, the highest significant therapeutic effect was observed in the group that treated with Nano-chitosan only (63.46±8.06) (U/L). The present study represented the efficiency of the prepared nanomaterial in conjugating with the antibiotic in treating mice infected with the parasite, as this was observed through a decrease in the concentrations of the three liver enzymes.

Nanocurcumin: A Promising Therapeutic Candidate for Experimental Trichinellosis.

In our pursuit of an alternative drug against Trichinella spiralis, we assessed the effectiveness of nanocurcumin in alleviating pathogenesis, parasitological factors, MMP-9 levels, and its expression in the enteral and parenteral phases of infection. The nanocurcumin particles, with a spherical shape and a size of 100 ± 20 nm, were used in the study. Eighty mice were divided into four groups: the control group, the untreated infected group, the nanocurcumin-treated group, and the albendazole-treated group. The nanocurcumin-treated group exhibited a statistically significant increase in the percentage of lymphocytes, along with a reduction in neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils compared to the untreated, infected group. Both the nanocurcumin (87.2 and 97.3%) and the albendazole-treated groups (99.8 and 98.2%) showed a significant reduction in the mean number of intestinal worms and encysted larvae, respectively. The treated groups exhibited normal intestinal villi, suppression of the inflammatory process, and fewer instances of degenerated larvae in the diaphragm and muscle compared to the untreated, infected group. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA analyses revealed a significant downregulation of MMP-9 levels in the intestines and muscles of the treated groups. Our data demonstrate that nanocurcumin contains highly versatile molecules capable of modulating biological activity against inflammation and its pathway markers.

Zinc Oxide and Magnesium-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Ameliorate Murine Chronic Toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii causes a global parasitic disease. Therapeutic options for eradicating toxoplasmosis are limited. In this study, ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs were prepared, and their structural and morphological chrematistics were investigated. The XRD pattern revealed that Mg-doped ZnO NPs have weak crystallinity and a small crystallite size. FTIR and XPS analyses confirmed the integration of Mg ions into the ZnO framework, producing the high-purity Mg-doped ZnO nanocomposite. TEM micrographs determined the particle size of un-doped ZnO in the range of 29 nm, reduced to 23 nm with Mg2+ replacements. ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs significantly decreased the number of brain cysts (p < 0.05) by 29.30% and 35.08%, respectively, compared to the infected untreated group. The administration of ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs revealed a marked histopathological improvement in the brain, liver, and spleen. Furthermore, ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs reduced P53 expression in the cerebral tissue while inducing CD31 expression, which indicated a protective effect against the infection-induced apoptosis and the restoration of balance between free radicals and antioxidant defense activity. In conclusion, the study proved these nanoparticles have antiparasitic, antiapoptotic, and angiogenetic effects. Being nontoxic compounds, these nanoparticles could be promising adjuvants in treating chronic toxoplasmosis.

Comparison of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Diminazene Aceturate and ‎Isometamidium Chloride in Local Dogs Experimentally Infected ‎with Trypanosoma brucei

The chemotherapeutic efficacy of diminazene aceturate (DA) and isometamidium chloride (IMC) were compared in dogs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei. Twenty Nigerian local breeds of dogs were used for the study. They were divided into four groups of five dogs each. Dogs in group I served as uninfected untreated control, group II was infected untreated, while groups III and IV were the infected treated with DA and IMC respectively. Administration of DA and IMC effectively cleared the parasites from the blood stream of the treated dogs. However, the infection subsequently relapsed at days 28 and 49 post treatment (pt) in DA and IMC treated groups, respectively. The red cell parameters (PCV, HB, and RBC) decreased significantly (P&lt;0.05) following infection. They were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher in IMC treated group than the DA treated group comparable with the control. The infected groups had elevated total white blood cell counts. However, the DA treated, and IMC treated groups did not show any significant (P&gt; 0.05) difference when compared together with the control. The mean activities of SAP, AST, and ALT increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) in the infected groups compared with the control. The mean blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) on days 21 and 28 post infection (pi) in the infected untreated group and IMC treated groups. The mean creatinine(CRT) was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in all the infected groups on day 14 pi compared to the control. From day 35 pi the mean BUN and CRT levels returned to normal values. It was thus concluded from this study that IMC exhibited more chemotherapeutic therapeutic activity over DA, as evidenced from the result of relapsed infections post treatment and haematological changes. However, the serum biochemical parameters were significantly altered in both DA and IMC treated groups compared to the control.

Evaluating the Effect of Lactobacillus casei FEGY 9973 and Curcumin on Experimental Giardiasis

Background and ObjectiveGiardia is a parasitic hard protozoan that causes a variety of parasitological and pathological changes in gastrointestinal epithelial cells and is resistant to a variety of disinfectants and treatments. This study used experimental animals infected with Giardia Lamblia to assess the potential therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Lactobacillus in yoghurt) and curcumin in comparison to one of the commonly used drugs (metronidazole).MethodsThe study included 54 Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) that ranged in weight from 80 to 100 g and were divided into six groups: The effect of the used preparations was assessed in terms of parasitological and histopathological aspects in Group I non-infected healthy control, Group II infected non-treated, Group III infected treated with metronidazole MTZ, Group IV infected treated with Lactobacillus casei, Group V infected treated with curcumin, and Group VI infected treated with, Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Lactobacillus in yoghurt). The number of G. lamblia cysts per gram of stool was counted during the parasitological examination.ResultsThe difference between the infected non-treated group and all the treated groups was statistically significant (P0.05). When compared to the infected untreated group, Lactobacillus casei and, Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Lactobacillus in yoghurt) produced a 100% reduction in G. lamblia cyst shedding, curcumin produced an 87.80% reduction in number of cysts, and metronidazole produced a 78.4% reduction in number of cysts.ConclusionOur results highlight the potentially effective therapeutic effect of different preparations of probiotics and curcumin against Giardiasis.

&lt;i&gt;In vivo&lt;/i&gt; therapeutic evaluation of phage cocktail and probiotic in reducing &lt;i&gt;Salmonella &lt;/i&gt;infection in Broilers

Antimicrobial resistance and ban on the usage of most of the antibiotics in food producing animals especially in poultry and pigs propelled research towards antibiotic alternatives. Food borne and multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens like Salmonella can enter food chain via consumption of the contaminated meat. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy could be used during rearing or pre-harvest stages of poultry production to overcome these emerging problems. The present study was conducted to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of bacteriophage cocktail and probiotics against Salmonella gallinarum in experimentally infected broiler chicks based on mortality, clinical manifestations, and faecal shedding. In vitro evaluation revealed that optical density (OD) of Salmonella gallinarum at MOIs of 102 was significantly reduced by individual phages as well as phage cocktail, with comparably less decrease in optical density in the culture treated with individual phage than the phage cocktail. Bacteriophage cocktail with concentration 1011 PFU/ml was able to protect 100% birds infected with Salmonella gallinarum. Faecal shedding rate was significantly low in the birds treated with bacteriophage cocktail and probiotics (1.2%) than untreated group. Significant improvement in body weight was seen in the bacteriophage treated groups as compared to untreated infected group. Based on the findings of the current study, administering high titre bacteriophages alone or in combination with probiotics for the effective management of Salmonella infection in broiler chicks may be suggested as an alternative to antibiotics as well as a useful strategy to control food borne pathogens in the food chain.

Leukocyte Profile of Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei and Treated with Aqueous Extract of Strychnos Ligustrina and Its Combination with Dihydroartemisinin Piperaquine Phosphate (DHP)

Malaria is still one of the most highly pathogenic diseases, which remains a significant problem for public health. Natural compounds are alternative ways as an antimalarial compound that are applied for the artemisinin combination. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a combination of S. ligustrina extract and DHP on the differential leukocytes percentages. This study used 100 mice which were divided into five groups. Group A and B were used for the healthy mice and infected-untreated groups, respectively. Group C used as a controlled drug, received 222 mg/kg BW of DHP. Group D received 300 mg/kg BW of aqueous extract of S. ligustrina. Group E received a combination between 111 mg/kg BW of DHP and 200 mg/kg BW of aqueous extract S. ligustrina. The findings demonstrated that DHP and S. ligustrina extract had an impact on neutrophils, lymphocytes, inhibition, and percentages of parasitemia. The findings revealed that treatment groups C, D, and E reduced the percentage of parasitemia. The percentage of neutrophils in treated groups was significantly higher than in group A (P&lt;0.05). The percentage of lymphocytes was lower in the treated groups, while the percentages of eosinophils, monocytes, and basophils did not significantly different (P&lt;0.05). This study found that group D and E had the same effect on the leucocyte profile as group C. Our findings suggest that the aqueous extract of S. ligustrina, as well as the combination treatment with DHP, have the potential to lead to the discovery of new antimalarial medicines.

Anthelmintic and therapeutic effects of the biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles against acute kidney injury induced by Parascaris equorum Infection in rats.

Complications of parasite infections, especially kidney disease, have been linked to poorer outcomes. Acute kidney damage, glomerulonephritis, and tubular dysfunction are the most prevalent renal consequences of Parascaris equorum infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacological effects of green-produced zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on P. equorum infection in male Wistar rats. Thirty-six male rats were divided into two groups of 18 each: infected and non-infected. Both groups were separated into three subgroups, each of which received distilled water, 30mg/kg ZnO NPs, and 60mg/kg ZnO NPs. After 10 days of ZnO NPs administration, four larvae per gram of kidney tissue were present in the untreated infected group. While, no larvae were present in ZnO NPs (30mg/kg) treated group, and one larva/g.tissue was present in ZnO NPs (60mg/kg) treated group compared to untreated infected animals. P. equorum infected rats had increased kidney biomarkers (creatinine, urea, uric acid), malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide, with a significant decrease in their antioxidant systems. On the other hand, infected treated rats with green-produced zinc oxide nanoparticles had a substantial drop in creatinine, urea, uric acid, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide, as well as a significant rise in their antioxidant systems. P. equorum infection in rats caused severe degenerative and necrotic renal tissues. On the other hand, there were no detectable histopathological alterations in rats treated with ZnO NPs (30, 60mg/kg) as compared to the infected untreated animals. When compared to infected untreated mice, immunohistochemical examination of nuclear factor-kappa B showed a significant decrease during treatment with ZnO NPs (30, 60mg/kg). Green-produced zinc oxide nanoparticles are a viable therapeutic strategy for Parascaris equorum infection due to their potent anthelmintic activity, including a significant decrease in larval burden in infected treated rats.

Camellia sinensis Aqueous Extract: A Promising Candidate for Hepatic Eimeriosis Treatment in Rabbits.

Eimeria stiedae (E. stiedae) is a common coccidian species that infects the liver and causes economic losses for the rabbit industry. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of green tea aqueous extract (GTE) as a natural treatment for eimeriosis caused by E. stiedae. Male rabbits Cuniculus L. (Oryctolagus) of the New Zealand White rabbit strain (4-4.5 months) were used, as they are suitable for research and conducting experiments. Thirty rabbits were allocated into six groups, with five rabbits in each group; the G1 group (non-infected untreated) served as a negative control group; the G2 group was not infected and treated with 250 mg GTE; the G3 group was not infected and treated with 500 mg GTE; the G4 group was untreated and was infected with 3 × 104 Sporulated E. stiedae oocysts, which served as a positive control group; the G5 group was infected and treated with 250 mg GTE; and the G6 group was infected and treated with 500 mg GTE. The hematological and biochemical analyses of each group of rabbit sera were carried out. Phytochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the active components in GTE leaves using the following methods: IR spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy. The infected rabbit groups treated with GTE at both doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg exhibited a significant decrease in the extent of E. stiedae oocyst shedding compared with the infected untreated group at 14, 21, and 28 days post-infection. Also, treatment with green tea showed improvement in liver weight compared with the enlarged livers of infected, untreated rabbits. The disturbance in serum liver enzymes' gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST/GOT) levels, as well as serum glucose, potassium, uric acid, cholesterol, and urea levels, were improved after the treatment of infected rabbit groups with green tea compared with the infected untreated group. Moreover, in this study, the images of the egg stages of the parasite were taken using a fluorescence microscope at 25 µm and 26 µm magnifications. This study provides promising results for the effective cell absorption of the aqueous extract of green tea, which was confirmed in the analyzed images using a scanning electron microscope at 5 µm and 20 µm magnifications.

Therapeutic efficacy of β-sitosterol treatment on Trypanosoma congolense infection, anemia development, and trans-sialidase (TconTS1) gene expression.

African animal trypanosomiasis hinders sustainable livestock productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. About 17 million infected cattle are treated with trypanocides annually but most of the drugs are associated with drawbacks, necessitating the search for a promising chemotherapeutic agent. In this study, the effects of β-sitosterol on Trypanosoma congolense infection were investigated along with its effect on the trans-sialidase gene expressions. Oral treatment with β-sitosterol at 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight (BW) for 14 days significantly (p < 0.05) reduced parasitemia and ameliorated the parasite-induced anemia. Also, the parasite-induced increase in serum urea level and renal histopathological damage scores in addition to renal hypertrophy was significantly (p < 0.05) reverted following treatment with 30 mg/kg BW β-sitosterol. The compound also significantly (p < 0.05) down-regulated the expression of TconTS1 but not TconTS2, TconTS3, and TconTS4. Correlation analysis between free serum sialic acid with the TconTS1 and TconTS2 gene variants revealed negative correlations in the β-sitosterol-treated groups although they were non-significant (p > 0.05) in the group treated with 15 mg/kg BW β-sitosterol. Similarly, a non-significant negative (p > 0.05) correlation between the biomolecule and the TconTS3 and TconTS4 gene variants was observed in the β-sitosterol-treated groups while positive correlations were observed in the infected untreated control group. The observed effect of β-sitosterol on T. congolense infection could make the compound a possible template for the design of novel trypanocides.

Administration of Ethanolic Extract of Spinacia oleracea Rich in Omega-3 Improves Oxidative Stress and Goblet Cells in Broiler Chickens Infected with Eimeria tenella.

This study investigated the anticoccidial activity of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) whole-plant extract against Eimeria tenella, both in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose, one hundred 8-day-old broiler chicks of both sexes were divided into four groups (n = 25 in each group). Chicks in the first group served as the negative control (non-treated-non-infected). Chicks in the second group were challenged at 18 days old with 5 × 104E. tenella sporulated oocysts. The third group was challenged with 5 × 104 sporulated E. tenella oocysts at 18 days old after receiving spinach extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg at 8 days old. The fourth group received 0.2 mg/kg diclazuril (Coxiril® 0.2%) in their diet two days before being orally infected with 5 × 104 sporulated E. tenella oocysts and this continued till day 10 post-infection (PI). The growth performance, clinical symptoms, oocyst shedding, histological findings, and biochemical parameters were used to evaluate the efficacy on day 8 PI when the infection was at its peak. A gas chromatography examination revealed that omega-3 fatty acids were the main constituents of the spinach extract, followed by oleic acid, palmitic acid, and phytol, with amounts of 23.37%, 17.53%, 11.26%, and 7.97%, respectively. The in vitro investigation revealed that the spinach extract at concentrations of 10% and 5% inhibited the oocyst sporulation by 52.1% and 45.1%, respectively. The 5% concentration was selected for the in vivo trial based on the results of the in vitro study. The infected-untreated group showed high levels of OPG; lower body weight; a greater number of parasite stages; few goblet cells; decreased SOD, CAT, and GPX levels; and increased MDA and NO levels. The spinach-treated group, on the other hand, showed a significant decrease in oocyst output per gram of feces (OPG), increased body weight, decreased parasitic stages, and a nearly normal number of goblet cells. Additionally, it reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). In conclusion, spinach produced significant antioxidant effects, increased body weight, reduced the number of oocysts and parasite stages in the caecum, and restored the number of goblet cells relative to those of an uninfected control. Furthermore, spinach extract inhibits the sporulation percentage of E. tenella oocysts. The ethanolic extract of S. oleracea (whole plant) contained high concentrations of fatty acids, palmitic acid, Phytol, betulin, and ursolic aldehyde, all of which are known to regulate the antioxidant pathway and modulate inflammatory processes and may be the main reason for its anticoccidial activity.

The difluoroboranyl-norfloxacin complex “7a” induces an antimicrobial effect against K. pneumoniae strain in acute pneumonia murine model

The discovery and implementation of antibiotics led to a better prognosis for infectious diseases. Fluoroquinolones are a family of antibiotics with a broad spectrum of action and antibacterial effectiveness. Because bacterial strains have increased their resistance to antibiotics, the World Health Organization has reported an urgent need to develop new active molecules. Our research group has therefore focused on deriving different compounds from fluoroquinolones. A fluoroquinolone derivatized in complex with boron, labeled 7a, was found to have good antibacterial potential. The objective of this research was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial effect of the derivatized 7a on K. pneumoniae (clinical isolates) strains. The Kirby-Bauer inhibition technique generated average inhibition areas of 8.24 ± 1.239 cm2. For the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration, macrodilutions of 7a compound were performed, obtaining 1 μg/mL in both determinations. For the in vivo model, Balb/c mice were infected intratracheally with K. pneumoniae; the animals were treated daily with ciprofloxacin (80 mg/kg/day) or 7a (80 mg/kg/day). The animals were sacrificed on the seventh day post-infection and hematoxylin and eosin staining was done on the lungs to evaluate the percentage of pneumonia. It was found that 7a significantly reduced the generation of pneumonia (5.96% of pneumonic tissue was found) while the untreated infected group generated 71.70% of pneumonic lung tissue. Compound 7a is an antimicrobial agent capable of inhibiting in vitro development of a Gram-negative (K. pneumoniae) bacterial strain. In addition, 7a is effective in treating acute pneumonia induced by K. pneumoniae in a murine model.

In vivo anticoccidial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of avocado fruit, Persea americana (Lauraceae), against Eimeria papillata infection.

Apicomplexan parasites, especially Eimeria sp., are the main intestinal murine pathogens, that lead to severe injuries to farm and domestic animals. Many anticoccidial drugs are available for coccidiosis, which, leads to the development of drug-resistant parasites. Recently, natural products are considered as an alternative agent to control coccidiosis. This study was designed to evaluate the anticoccidial activity of the Persea americana fruit extract (PAFE) in male C57BL/6 mice. A total of 35 male mice were divided into seven equal groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7). At day 0, all groups except the first group which served as uninfected-untreated control were infected orally with 1×103E. papillata sporulated oocysts. Group 2 served as uninfected-treated control. Group 3 was considered an infected-untreated group. After 60min of infection, groups 4, 5, and 6 were treated with oral doses of PAFE aqueous methanolic extract (100, 300, and 500mg/kg of body weight, respectively). Group 7 was treated with amprolium (a reference drug for coccidiosis). PAFE with 500mg/kg, was the most effective dose, inducing a significant reduction in the output of oocysts in mice feces (by about 85.41%), accompanied by a significant decrease in the number of the developmental parasite stages and a significant elevation of the goblet cells in the jejunal tissues. Upon treatment, a significant change in the oxidative status due to E. papillata infection was observed, where the levels of glutathione (GSH) increased, while, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were decreased. In addition, the infection significantly upregulated the inflammatory cytokines of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). This increase in mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ was about 8.3, 10.6, and 4.5-fold, respectively, which significantly downregulated upon treatment. Collectively, P. americana is a promising medicinal plant with anticoccidial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities and could be used for the treatment of coccidiosis.

Comparing the therapeutic potentials of Lactobacillus johnsonii vs. Lactobacillus acidophilus against vulvovaginal candidiasis in female rats: an in vivo study.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a highly prevalent illness affecting women globally. Lactobacilli, which make up the majority of healthy vaginal microbiota (VMB), serve as a powerful barrier against infections. Probiotic therapy has been recommended for the treatment or prevention of VVC. To compare the in vivo therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus johnsonii (B-2178) vs. Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5®) on VVC in a rat model, particularly highlighting the immune response of the host vaginal epithelium. In total, 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups; Group 1: no intervention, Group 2: ovariectomy group, while animals in Groups 3-5 were subjected to ovariectomy and an intravaginal inoculation of Candida albicans (C. albicans) to establish VVC. The animals in Groups 4 and 5 received intravaginal lactobacilli treatment with L. acidophilus (LA-5®) and L. johnsonii (B-2178) strains, respectively, for 7 days. C. albicans load was measured in a vaginal lavage 1, 3, and 7 days after the stoppage of the treatment. Histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical studies of the vaginal tissues were done. IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 were measured in the vaginal tissue. Both L. johnsonii and L. acidophilus significantly reduced C. albicans vaginal load (250 ± 77.46 and 133.33 ± 40.82 CFU/mL) compared to the count before treatment in both groups (4,850 ± 1419.51 and 4966.67 ± 852.45 CFU/mL) even after 7 days of stoppage of lactobacilli treatment. A statistically significant reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IFN-γ was reported in both treated groups compared to the infected untreated group. L. johnsonii has a significant effect on the reduction of hyphae formation of C. albicans as well as the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) immunostaining density of vaginal tissue compared to L. acidophilus. Moreover, treatment with L. johnsonii significantly minimized the epithelium damage triggered by C. albicans infection and restored normal vaginal architecture as evidenced by the histologic and morphometric studies when compared to L. acidophilus. Through maintaining an immune tolerant state in the vaginal epithelium and ameliorating the undesirable uncontrolled inflammatory response in the vaginal tissue, L. johnsonii (B-2178) has the potential to be utilized alone or in combination with other lactobacilli species in probiotic clinical trials to treat or prevent VVC.

Anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative activity of ziziphus leaf extract as a novel potential therapeutic agent for reducing hepatic injury in experimental hamster schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent helminthic infections worldwide. Praziquantel (PZQ) resistance poses a possible danger to the disease's ability to be controlled. Little is known about the role of Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract (ZLE) in the treatment of hepatic schistosomiasis. However, no study has explored ZLE's anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative activity as a possible mechanism for reducing hepatic injury in this context. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of ZLE as an anti-angiogenic, and anti-proliferative agent in hamsters infected with S. mansoni. Fifty hamsters were used and divided into 5 groups (10 hamsters each); noninfected untreated (controls), noninfected treated with ZLE, infected untreated, infected treated with PZQ- and infected treated with ZLE. Anti-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic effects of the drugs were assessed pathologically through the immunohistochemical expression of VEGF, Ki-67, and TGF β1 in liver sections. Some oxidative stress parameters were measured in hepatic homogenates (NO, GSH, GST, and SOD), and serum liver enzymes were also assessed. A significant decrease in worm burden, granuloma size, granuloma area, and numbers in the ZLE- and PZQ-treated groups compared to the infected untreated group, and the decrease in granulomas number and tissue egg load was significantly lower in PZQ treated group compared to ZLE treated group (p<0.05). ZLE exhibited significant anti-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic effects on granulomas, illustrated by significantly lower expression of VEGF and TGF-β1 than infected untreated and PZQ-treated groups. ZLE exhibits antiproliferative activity evidenced by a significant reduction of positive Ki-67 hepatocytes percentage compared to the infected untreated group. Moreover, ZLE exhibits potent antioxidant effects evidenced by a significantly lowered NO and conservation of hepatic GSH, GST, and SOD in hepatic homogenates compared to infected untreated and PZQ-treated groups (p<0.05). Our results point to ZLE as a promising hepatoprotective therapeutic tool in the treatment of schistosome hepatic fibrosis as it has anti-angiogenic, anti-proliferative, anti-fibrotic, and antioxidant effects in hamsters infected with S. mansoni, providing scientific support for its use in conventional medicine.

Novel insights on the therapeutic effect of levamisole on the chronic toxoplasmosis in mice model.

Seventy-five Me49 Toxoplasma gondii infected Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups; (GI): noninfected control group; (GII): infected untreated control group; (GIII): infected- LEVA treated group; (GIV): infected and received combination of spiramycin and LEVA and (GV): infected-spiramycin treated group. The impact was assessed through brain cyst count by Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) assay, histopathological study, and total blood counts. The progression of chronic toxoplasmosis could only be partially controlled by using either levamisole or spiramycin as a separate drug. The combined spiramycin and levamisole treatment significantly decreased the burden of Toxoplasma brain cyst, increased IFN-γ level, total blood parameters and improved the histopathological features especially at the late stage of infection. Levamisole effectively modulated Toxoplasma-induced immune responses, resulting in chronic toxoplasmosis remission. Further clinical trials will be needed to study the effect of these combination in HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus) patients with toxoplasmosis.

The Efficiency of Schistosoma mansoni Crude Antigens in Inhibition of Heat Shock Protein, Apoptosis, and Lysosomal Activity: An Immunohistochemical Study.

The adverse impact of schistosomiasis on tissues is considered in generating a schistosomal vaccine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Schistosoma mansoni crude antigens as a therapeutic and prophylactic formulation in the inhibition of heat shock protein, apoptosis, and CD3/CD20 expression in a liver and spleen mouse models using the immunohistochemistry method. A total of 65 mice were divided into five groups: (i) infected untreated group (G1), (ii) therapeutic treated group (G2) with egg soluble egg antigen (SEA), and soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP), (iii) prophylactically treated group (G3) with cercarial antigen preparation (CAP), (iv) combined treated group with three antigens (G4), and (v) control group (G5). The results we obtained showed that CAP, SEA, and SWAP antigens mitigated the deterioration and inflammation induced by infection. Apoptosis and sinusoidal injuries were significantly reduced when treated with CAP antigen before infection. After infection, using SEA and SWAP antigens may help lighten the liver's load. A high degree of activation in T and B cells in the liver and spleen is linked to this. Our findings shed light on the immunological mechanisms that contribute to the recovery from therapy and vaccination against schistosome damage.

AN ALTERNATIVE ANTIVIRAL THERAPY OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN BROILER CHICKENS: A CLINICAL STUDY OF METHANOLIC NEEM LEAVES EXTRACT

Newcastle disease (ND) is an important viral disease that threatens the global poultry industry. The urgent need for a safe and effective antiviral alternative prompted us to evaluate neem methanolic leaf extract against Newcastle disease virus (NDv) in broilers. A total of Sixty Cobb chicks (day old) were allocated randomly into 4 equal groups; group A was a control negative, and group B was a control positive. Groups C and D received a methanolic neem leaf extract (MNLE) in drinking water for five days at 500 and 1000 µg/kg BW, respectively. At 25th days old, chicks in groups B, C and D were challenged via the oculonasal route with 0.2 ml of virulent NDv. The use of MNLE in groups C and D significantly reduced morbidity and mortality as well as the macroscopic and microscopic scoring lesions of all examined organs compared to the infected untreated group B. The high dose of MNLE (1000 µg/ kg BW; group D) was more efficient and significant in relieving the clinical and pathological abnormalities caused by ND challenge compared with the low dose (500 µg/ kg BW; group C). Moreover, positive effects of the herbal treatment on the experimentally ND-infected chickens were evidenced by reducing viral RNA concentrations in the oropharyngeal swabs at 3, 5, and 7 days post challenge and the infectivity titer of the virus isolated from the trachea, spleen, and cecal tonsils at 7 days post challenge. In conclusion, MNLE possesses potential antioxidant to have a power to control NDv shedding and infection. So, MNLE could be a source of inspiration for new alternative antivirals.