Infected Untreated Group Research Articles

Prophylactic and Therapeutic Treatments' Effect of Moringa Oleifera Methanol Extract on Cryptosporidium Infection in Immunosuppressed Mice

<P>Background: As natural herbs and medicinal plants extracts are widely used as alternative treatments for different parasitic diseases, some have been tested on Cryptosporidium either in vitro or in vivo. This study assessed the prophylactic and therapeutic treatments' effect of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaves methanol extract on immunosuppressed-Cryptosporidium infected mice.Methods:The evaluation was carried out by Cryptosporidium oocysts count in fecal samples, histopathological changes in the intestinal tissues, determination of IFN-γ level in mice sera and measuring the antioxidant activity in the intestinal tissues.Results:Prophylactic treatment by M. oleifera extract lowered Cryptosporidium oocysts shedding from immunosuppressed-infected mice although there was no complete elimination of the parasite. However, therapeutic treatment induced a significant reduction in Cryptosporidium oocysts counts by 91.8% higher than that of the drug control (nitazoxanide) group (77.2%). Histopathologically, the intestinal tissues from immunosuppressed-Cryptosporidium infected mice showed loss of brush border with severe villous atrophy and extensive necrosis. M. oleifera prophylactic treatment induced a moderate improvement of the pathological changes. However, the villi in M. oleifera therapeutic treated mice retained their normal appearance with minimal inflammatory cells. It was observed that M. oleifera extract induced a significant upregulation of IFN-γ in both prophylactic and therapeutic treated groups compared to that of the infected untreated group. In addition, M. oleifera leaves extract exhibited a significant antioxidant activity by reducing the levels of Nitric Oxide (NO) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) level in the intestinal tissues compared to those of the infected and drug controls.Conclusion:M. oleifera leaves extract has potent prophylactic and therapeutic activities against infection with Cryptosporidium.</P>

The Modulatory Activity of <i>Justicia carnea</i> in Plasmodium Infected Mice

The study investigated the antiplasmodial potency of Justicia carnea in plasmodium infected mice. The aqueous leaf extract of Justicia carnea was subjected to phytochemical screening using GC-FID. The suppressive, prophylactic and curative activity of the studied plant was accessed after oral administration of standard drugs (5mgkg-1 choroquine and 4mgkg-1 artesunate) and 400-800mgkg-1 of the extract. The effect of the aqueous leaf extract of the studied plant was also explored in the activities of liver enzymes, oxidative stress markers and hematological indices of plasmodium infected mice using spectrophotomertic methods and a hematology auto analyzer (BC 5300 Mindray England) respectively. The aqueous leaf extract of Justicia carnea showed considerable dose dependent antiplasmodial activity in the suppressive, prophylactic and curative test conducted. The suppressive activity of (92%) of the aqueous leaf extract of the studied plant at 800mgkg-1 was comparable to the standard drugs used while the mean survival time of plasmodium infected mice at 800mgkg-1 was beyond the mean survival time of the infected untreated group. The aqueous leaf extract of the studied plant also exhibited significant improvements in the activities of liver enzymes, oxidative stress markers and some hematological parameters at 800mgkg-1 of the extract when compared with the infected and untreated group. The results of the study exhibited the antiplasmodial activity of the studied plant, nonetheless, the crude extracts of the studied plant can be further purified for synergistic use with other potent antimalarial drugs to combat and achieve total clearance of plasmodium resistant infections.

GC–MS Profiling and Antimalarial Activity of Khaya grandifoliola on Plasmodium berghei–infected mice

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated the antiplasmodial activity and chemical constituents of ethanolic leaf extract of Khaya grandifoliola on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Twenty-five mice of both sexes (~30–40 g) were divided into five groups of five mice each. Group 1 (normal control) was untreated and uninfected. Groups 2–5 were intraperitoneally inoculated with 2.5 × 107 P. berghei, while group 2 (disease control [DC]) was untreated-infected group, group 3 (standard drug) received a standard drug, artesunate (50 mg kg−1 b.w.) for 4 consecutive days; groups 4 (LEKG50) and 5 (LEKG100) received ethanolic leaf extracts of K. grandifoliola at 50 mg kg−1 b.w. and 100 mg kg−1 b.w., respectively, after establishment of infection. The LD50 was 4,207.5 mg kg−1 b.w. The results showed a reduction in the mean parasite load of LEKG50 and LEKG100 when compared with DC at day 6 postinfection and beyond. Both LEKG50 and LEKG100 recovered in packed cell volume after an initial drop. There were variable changes in the level of lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils in both LEKG50 and LEKG100 throughout the study period. Sixteen constituents were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis, and oleic acid (33.83%) was most prominent.

EFFECT OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT (AZADIRACHTA INDICA) ON Chlamydophila psittaci INFECTION IN BROILER CHICKENS

Chlamydophila psittaci is considered one of the important bacterial agents which affecting poultry with zoonotic importance to human health. This study designed to investigate the antibacterial action of aqueous neem leaves extract (Azadirachta indica) against experimentally infected broiler chickens with chlamydia. Seventy, one day old Hubbard chicks were randomly selected and divided equally into seven groups, three of the infected groups were treated with neem extract at varied concentration of 4%, 6% and 8% in drinking water compared with the fourth that treated with oxytetracycline. Based on clinical and postmortem examination, growth performance, serum biochemical analysis and histopathological findings the results were evaluated. Chicks received 8% extract at 8 days old for five successive days and control showed normal level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, uric acid and creatinine 30 U/L, 26 U/L, 3.90 mg/dl and 0.67 mg/dl respectively, while treated infected groups revealed lower levels unlike infected untreated showed higher levels 68 U/L, 62 U/L, 5.20 mg/dl and 1.62 mg/dl respectively. Moreover treated groups with neem extract of 4%, 6% and 8% recorded significantly better body weights 1130.56 gm, 1135.70 gm and 1254.60 gm respectively, than infected untreated group 963.25 gm at 32 days old as well as feed conversion rate 2.26, 1.94 and 1.77 than 3.80 respectively, at 24 days old. Histopathological examination of infected group showed pulmonary inflammation, myocarditis and hepatic necrotic foci while confirmed that treatment with 8% neem extract resulted in complete recovery of lung tissue and normal myocardium. It is concluded that aqueous leaves neem extract especially 8% concertation had an excellent antichlamydial medication without side effects and recommended in the control of chicken chlamydiosis.

Effects of iron chelating agent on Schistosoma mansoni infected murine model

Schistosomiasis is one of the major health problems in many tropical and developing countries. Infection takes place once cerceriae penetrate human skin, then it changed into schistosomules. The schistosomules takes iron in the form of heme from host's haemoglobin, ferritin and transferrin. Iron is a vital element not only for growth and sexual maturity of schistosomules to adults but also for oogenesis. Since the trapped eggs are the pathological causative agent for most of pathogenesis and complications, the current work was designed to study the effects of early deprivation of schistosomules from iron in the host (in vivo) by chelating it with deferoxamine (DFO). The iron chelation has effects on growth, maturity and egg deposition, as well as it has ameliorative effects on liver pathology such as hepatic fibrosis. Mice were classified into four groups, normal control, DFO treated only, Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infected DFO untreated and S. mansoni infected DFO treated. The infected DFO treated mice showed significant reduction in fecal egg excretion with increased percentage of dead eggs and this was accompanied with a significant reduction of both total worm burden and hepatic egg load and increased dead egg percentage compared to the infected DFO untreated group. There was also a significant reduction in both serum and hepatic tissue ferritin concentrations in the infected DFO treated mice in comparison to the infected DFO untreated group. Additionally, a significant decrease in number and size of granulomas with subsequent improvement of liver fibrosis was recorded in the infected DFO treated group. This immunopathology was also associated with significant up regulation of Interlukine12 (IL12), Interferon gamma (IFN γ) and significant down regulation in interleukin4 (IL4), interleukin10 (IL10) in both serum and hepatic tissue in the infected DFO treated compared to other groups. Entirely, DFO succeeded in diminishing the growth, maturity and fecundity of S. mansoni with a subsequent improvement of hepatic pathology. As a result of the above findings, it can be concluded that DFO could be considered as a useful treatment against schistosomal infection.

<i>In vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> anti-trypanosomal potentials of <i>Afrormosia laxiflora</i> and <i>Khaya senegalensis</i> against <i>Trypanosoma brucei brucei</i>

Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) also known as Nagana is a resurgent disease in Africa. Medicinal plants are being used in less developed countries for the treatment of various diseases including trypanosomiasis, due to the high cost of currently available drugs. Most of these plants have been useful sources of treatment of various diseases based on information obtained from folk medicine but have not been scientifically certified. Here, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti-trypanosomal potentials of the methanol extract of Aformorsia laxiflora and Khaya senegalensis against T. b. brucei. Phytochemical screening as well as LD50 of the plant extracts was carried out following standard procedures. Parasitemia was monitored daily while Packed Cell Volume was determined at three time points (days 1, 4 and 7) during the course of the infection. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, antraquinones, resins and tanins. However, steriods/terpenoids were absent in K. senegalensis but present in A. laxiflora. The toxicity of methanol extract of both A. laxiflora and K. senegalensis was above 5000mg/kg body weight. Methanol extracts of A. laxiflora (leaves) and K. senegalensis (stem bark) showed promising trypanocidal potential in vitro against T. b. brucei at concentrations of 10, 15, 25mg/ml and 40 and 20mg/ml respectively. At these concentrations, both extracts immobilized the parasites within 55mins post-incubation. In general, A. laxiflora leaf extract demonstrated prophylactic activity against T. b. brucei in vivo at a dose of 500mg/Kg body weight particularly in group C animals where a delayed pre-patent period (6 days post-infection), extended survival (14 days post-infection) and significant (P<0.05) reduction in the parasite burden confirmed by an absence of anemia (PCV 47.00±0.8 %) was observed when compared to the infected untreated control group. K. senegalensis extract on the other hand did not show anti-trypanosomal activity in the treated groups (1, 2, and 3). Based on these observations, it was therefore deduced that the methanol extract of leaves of A. laxiflora possessed the ability to ameliorate the burden of the disease and could be a plausible candidate for drug development against the disease.Keywords: Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Afromosia laxiflora, Khaya senegalensis, anti-trypanosomal, in vitro, in vivo

Therapeutic potential of the methanolic extract of Lepidium sativum seeds on mice infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of the methanolic extract of Lepidium sativum seeds in mice experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi. A total of thirty-two male Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into four groups: the first group was the normal control, while the second, third and fourth groups were infected intraperitoneally with 1 × 104 trypanosomes. The third and fourth groups were treated with 100 μl of Lepidium sativum seed extract (LSSE) at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally (infected + LSSEI) and orally (infected + LSSEO) respectively, once a day, for a period of four days.Parasitaemia was found to be significantly raised in the untreated infected group, reaching 2 × 107 at day 4 post-infection, but was significantly reduced by 65.5% and 88% in the mice treated orally and intraperitoneally with LSSE, respectively. The erythrocyte count, HCT, haemoglobin content, leucocyte count and the percentage of lymphocytes was significantly reduced in the untreated infected group, while the treatment with LSSE returned these parameters to their pre-infection values. In addition, our study proved that LSSE provided protection against liver tissue damage and decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The present study also established that intraperitoneal injection of LSSE is more effective than oral administration in the treatment of trypanosome infection in mice. In conclusion, the infection caused haematological, biochemical and histological changes that were ameliorated following treatment with LSSE.

Mathematics Modeling of Diabetes Mellitus Type SEIIT By Considering Treatment And Genetic Factors

SEIIT stands for Susceptible (S), Exposed (E), Infected population untreated (I) and Infected population treated (IT). Infected groups consisted in two categories, untreated (I) and with treatment (IT) by presented to insulin. Susceptible shifted to exposed by gene. Prefered outcomes are mathematical models for diabetes mellitus type SEIIT, conventional type, determining breakpoint and basic reproduction number, breakpoint analysis, breakpoint stability simulation. The results were mathematical models or diabetes mellitus compartment charts/diagrams. These diagram were both analysed analitically and numerically. The analyses presented two fixed points, with desease and without desease. Each point was analysed by its basic reproduction number, analitically and numerically, at fixed points without desease Ro < 1, while the other Ro > 1. Human population at condition Ro < 1 tent to move from susceptibel from the initial standpoint and becomes stabilized at . Proportion of exposed (e) is diminishing from the starting point and stabilized at e = 0. Infected untreated dimished from the initial stage and stabilized at i = 0 . Infected with treatment (iT) was increased from initial point, diminished and stabilized at iT = 0. Human behavior when R0 > 1, susceptible (s) increased at the beginning then fluctuated, stabilized finally at . Exposed (e) lower at first then stabilized at . Untreated infected group (i) lower from initial then stabilized when .00393. Treatment group initiate an increasing value, then fluctuated and stabilized at .

Comparative experimental studies on Trypanosoma isolates in mice and response to diminazene aceturate and isometamidium chloride treatment

The current study was undertaken from December 2015 to May 2016 with the aim of determining and comparing the pathogenicity and response to diminazene aceturate (DA) and isometamidium chloride (ISM) treatment in experimentally infected mice with trypanosome isolates from Jawi and Birsheleko areas of northwest Ethiopia. A total of 42 mice were used for the experiment. These mice were randomly assigned in to 7 groups of 6 mice per group. Three of the groups (Group 1, 4 and 5) were inoculated with trypanosome isolated from Jawi and three other groups (Group-2, 6 and 7) were inoculated with trypanosome isolated from Birsheleko and the remaining one group (Group 3) was negative control. Each experimental mice were received 0.3 ml of positive blood at the 105 parasites/ml from donor animals intraperitoneally while negative control group were received 0.3 ml sterile water. The mice were clinically observed daily during the study period. Parameters including level of parasitaemia, body weight, PCV and hemoglobin value were recorded once per week for ten consecutive weeks post infection. Trypanocidal treatment was given on day 21 post infection when peak parasitaemia was detected in groups (Group 4-DA-Jawi, 5-ISM-Jawi, 6-DA-BRSH and 7-ISM-BRSH). The treatment doses for DA was at 28 mg/kg and for ISM at 4 mg/kg. In all experimental groups during study period when the mice showed severe clinical signs and at the end of the experiment they were euthanized with 70% ethanol for gross and histopathological examinations. The parameters measured during the study period revealed markers leading to pathological changes in all infected groups. Parasitaemia were detected early in the Jawi isolate infected groups compared to the Birsheleko groups. All infected mice showed clear clinical manifestation of depression, weight loss, reduction in feed intake and huddled together in the corner of the cage. Significant (P < 0.05) reduction was observed in the mean PCV and hemoglobin value of s infected mice compared to the negative control. The mean PCV values of Birsheleko isolate infected group was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than Jawi isolate infected group. This study showed that treatment with either DA or ISM were unable to clear parasitaemia indicating the presence of drug resistance problems for both isolates. Relative improvement in clinical and pathological changes was observed as compared with untreated infected groups. Gross and histopathological lesions were observed in infected groups. In conclusion, the current study suggests the presence of strain difference in virulence between isolates and the drugs unable to cure infections indicating the presence of resistance problems necessitate further molecular characterization of the strains and drug resistance detection in the natural host.

Humoral Immune Response to Peste des Petits Ruminants Vaccination in West African Dwarf Sheep Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma congolense and Treated with Trypanocide

This study was conducted to assess the humoral immune response to Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccination in West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep experimentally infected with Trypanosoma congolense (Tc). Twenty adult WAD sheep, assigned to five (5) groups of four (4) sheep each were used. Group A sheep were neither vaccinated nor infected, while all sheep in groups B-E were vaccinated using PPR vaccine. Sheep in groups D and E were then infected with 5 x 105 trypanosomes per ml of Tc one (1) week post vaccination (PV) while sheep in groups C and D were treated at 3 weeks post infection with diminazene aceturate. A prepatent period of 12-14 days was observed and antibody titres detectable at one (1) week PV in all vaccinated sheep. The antibody levels progressively increased to a peak Geometric mean titre (GMT) values of 181.0, 222.9, 78.8 and 4.0 for groups B, C, D and E respectively at 8 week PV. Parasitaemia was followed by a depressed sero-conversion rate of antibody. Treatment however enabled the vaccinated Tc infected sheep to mount antibody responses that was superior to that of the infected untreated group. The effectiveness of PPR control programme in trypanosomosis endemic areas could be undermined by trypanosome-induced immunosuppression. Even so, this could be ameliorated by effective trypanocide chemotherapy.

Diminazene aceturate modified nanocomposite for improved efficacy in acute trypanosome infection

Objective: To investigate the improved antitrypanocidal activity and toxicity of diminazene aceturate modified Nano drug in experimental rats. Methods: Aqueous leaf extract of Hyptis suaveolens was used to reduce gold tetrachloride to its nanoparticle size and this was characterized and formulates with naturally synthesized polyhydroxybutyrateas a Nano carrier. A total of thirty [30] albino rats were group into 6 (A-F) of 5 rats each & infected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL of the inoculum containing about 1x103 Trypanosoma brucei brucei parasites per 0.2 mL of blood. Groups A and B were treated with 3 and 6 minutes released orange PHB, Groups C and D were treated with 15 and 30 minutes released mango PHB formulated tablet while Groups E and F were negative (untreated) and standard drug (Dininazene aceturare) respectively. Results: The free drug and modified orange synthesized polyhydroxy butyrate shows antitrypanocidal activities by reducing the replicating rate of the parasite as compared to infect untreated. While the modified- mango synthesized shows increasing order of replication. There were significant increases in all the haematological parameter evaluated in the infected treated groups compared to infect untreated. But no significant difference (P<0.05) observed in the Catalase activity in the serum and liver of all the groups whereas, the modified orange synthesized shows significant decrease in other enzymes activities evaluated when compared with the free drug, mango synthesized and the infected untreated groups. Conclusion: Orange synthesized modified diminazene aceturate show efficacy as free drug with limited toxicity that can enhance the therapeutic.

IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ANTI-TRYPANOSOMAL ACTIVITIES OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA STEM-BARK

Background: Current chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of African trypanosomiasis have become largely ineffective, necessitating the search for alternative compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro anti-trypanosomal activities of methanol extracts of parts of Azadirachta indica against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma evansi and establish the in vivo efficacy of the most active extract.&#x0D; Materials and methods: Maceration of powdered leaves, stem bark and root bark of the plant in methanol afforded three extracts. In vitro assays were carried out with the extracts on the three trypanosome strains in 96-well microtitre plates at concentration ranges of 4000 - 1000μg/ml. The most active extract was assayed in vivo using Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infected Swiss albino mice at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. Melarsoprol and suramin served as positive controls. The infected untreated group served as the negative control. Parasitaemia levels, packed cell volume, body weight changes and mean survival period of all groups were monitored throughout the experimental period.&#x0D; Results: Methanol extract of the stem bark of A.indica was most active in vitro against all the three trypanosome strains (MIC values of 9.93±1.88, 16.25±0.92 and 9.97±0.44μg/ml for T. b. rhodesiense, T. b. brucei and T. evansi, respectively). The extract showed optimum activity at 400 mg/kg and was comparable to the positive control groups. Parasitaemia levels were kept at a significantly low level (p &lt; 0.05) by the extract compared to the negative control. Notably, there was no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) in mean survival time of mice treated with the extract at 400 mg/kg and the positive controls.&#x0D; Conclusion: In vitro and in vivo anti-trypanosomal activities of the methanol extract of A. indica stem bark could be attributed to the presence of constituents of moderate polarity.

Supplementation with tocotrienols from Bixa orellana improves the in vivo efficacy of daptomycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a mouse model of infected wound

BackgroundMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of skin and soft-tissue infection worldwide. An adequate immune response acts as a first line of defence against infections and therefore plays an essential role in the maintenance of health. Tocotrienols (T3s), the lesser known isomers of vitamin E, possess many biological properties and have been recognized as immunomodulators. PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the in vivo supplementation with a mixture of 87.1% δ- and 12.9% γ-T3s extract from seeds of Bixa orellana, (T3s) could be effective in increasing the effect of daptomycin (DAP) in a mouse model of wound infection due to MRSA. Study design/methodsBacteria were inoculated onto full-thickness wound on the dorsal side of BALB/c mice at 5 × 106 CFU per mouse. Mice were randomized into five groups: an uninfected group, an infected-untreated group, a T3s-pretreated group with no antibiotics given after challenge, a T3s-pretreated group plus DAP given after challenge, a group only given DAP after challenge. Main outcome measures were: bacterial load on the wounds, analysis of Natural Killer (NK) cytotoxicity, immunological phenotype and markers of tissue repair. ResultsOur results showed that bacterial load in wounds from mice receiving T3s or DAP alone was 1- or 3-log10 lower, respectively, compared with the infected-untreated group. T3s plus daptomycin showed the highest efficacy, achieving a 4-log10 decrease in bacterial load. This higher antimicrobial effect was associated with increased levels of NK cytotoxicity and markers of wound repair. ConclusionThese data suggest that treatment with T3s may be useful for the management of infected wounds as immune adjuvants in combination with DAP.

Antifungal activity of the essential oil obtained from Cryptocarya alba against infection in honey bees by Nosema ceranae.

The honeybee disease nosemosis type C is a serious problem since its causative agent, microsporidium Nosema ceranae, is widespread among adult honey bees. Some of the feasible alternative treatments that are used to control this disease are plant extracts. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of essential oils of Chilean plant species, such as Cryptocarya alba, which is used against N. ceranae, and to identify and quantify the majority active compounds in the EO as well as their potential use for the control of nosemosis. Essential oils were obtained using the stripping steam technique with Clevenger equipment and were subsequently analyzed by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Mortality was recorded daily over at least 8days as worker honeybees were exposed to a range of doses of EO dispersed in a sucrose solution. C. alba oil appears to be nontoxic to A. mellifera adults at the tested concentration (the same concentration inhibits the growth of N. ceranae), showing that this oil can be used for the treatment of nosemosis. EO effectiveness was demonstrated against N. ceranae by calculating the percentage of decrease in infected bees from untreated infected groups vs infected groups treated with EO or the reference drug fumagillin. It was determined that a dose of 4µg EO/bee was most effective in controlling N. ceranae development. We determined innocuous doses of C. alba essential oil for honeybees. We demonstrated the antifungal activity of C. alba EO at 4μg/bee against N. ceranae and compared it to its major monoterpenes, such as β-phellandrene (20μg/bee), eucalyptol (20μg/bee) and α-terpineol (20μg/bee). The major compounds of C. alba EO, α-terpineol, eucalyptol and β-phellandrene, had significant effects against Apis mellifera infection by N. ceranae, but the antifungal effect of the complete essential oil on N. ceranae was larger than the effect of α-terpineol, eucalyptol or β- phellandrene separately, showing that C. alba oil may be a candidate for the treatment or prevention of nosemosis.

Atorvastatin repurposing for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in experimentally immunosuppressed mice

The present study was conducted on 200 male mice for the detection of the effect of Atorvastatin on Cryptosporidium spp. infection versus the commercially used drug Nitazoxanide in experimentally immunosuppressed mice. Atorvastatin was used alone at low dose (20 mg/kg), high dose (40 mg/kg), and combined with Nitazoxanide (1000 mg/kg) with either the low dose or high dose for five consecutive days. Parasitological assessment of the drug effect was done using Modified Z-N staining of stool samples collected from mice. Results revealed a reduction of the number of oocysts shed with percentage of reduction on the 21st day post infection by 53.7%, 67.2%, 70.1% &77.5%, respectively, compared to the infected untreated group. The Nitazoxanide treated group showed 52.7% reduction. In addition, examination of small and large intestinal contents after mice scarification revealed reduced numbers of oocysts by 56.2%-58.8%, 65.1%-65.3%, 70.6%-73.9% and 77.8%-79.9%, respectively, compared to 51.2%-54.1% in Nitazoxanide treated group. The histopathological examination of sections from duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, stomach and lungs also revealed a significant improvement of the histopathological changes in Atorvastatin treated groups and more remarkable improvement in the groups treated with combined drugs as compared to infected untreated group. Accordingly, the combination of Atorvastatin and Nitazoxanide showed a synergistic effect through reduction of the number of oocysts shed and improvement of the histopathological changes induced by Cryptosporidium spp. infection in the small intestine, colon, stomach and lungs of infected immunosuppressed mice in comparison to that induced by either Nitazoxanide or Atorvastatin alone.

Immunoprotective Effect of Chitosan Particles on Hymenolepis nana - Infected Mice.

Hymenolepis nana is the most commonly known intestinal cestode infecting mainly human. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of chitosan particles (CSP) to enhance the immune system against H.nana infection. Determination of worm burden, egg output, histopathological changes, oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione), goblet (GCs) and mucosal mast cells (MMCs) counts in intestinal ileum was performed. In addition, levels of intestinal mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-9, stem cell factor (SCF), type I and II interferons (IFN)-α/ γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, mucin 2 (MUC2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) were investigated using real-time PCR. The results indicated induced reductions in adult worm and egg counts in infected mice after CSP treatment. This was associated with improvement in tissue morphometric measurements and oxidative stress which were altered after infection. Expression levels of iNOs, IFN-α, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-9 were decreased by CSP. Conversely, expression levels of MUC2, IL-4 and SCF increased compared to infected untreated group. In addition, GCs and MMCs counts were normalized by CSP. In conclusion, this study could indicate the immunoprotective effect of CSP against H.nana infection. This was characterized with Th2 anti-inflammatory responses.

Efficacy of soluble glycoprotein fraction from Allium sativum purified by size exclusion chromatography on murine Schistosomiasis mansoni.

In this work, the efficiency of crude MeOH extracts and soluble glycoprotein fraction of Allium sativum purified by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) on parasitological, histopathological and some biochemical parameters in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice were investigated. Animals were infected by tail immersion with 100 cercariae/each mouse and divided into five groups in addition to the normal control. The results revealed a significant decrease in mean worm burden in all treated mice especially in the group treated with soluble glycoprotein fraction of A.sativum as compared to infected non-treated control with the disappearance of female worms. Administration of the studied extracts revealed remarkable amelioration in the levels of all the measured parameters in S.mansoni infected mice. In addition, treatment of mice with crude A.sativum MeOH extract and soluble glycoprotein fraction of A.sativum decreased significantly the activities of studied enzymes as compared to the infected untreated group. The highest degrees of enhancement in pathological changes was observed in the treated one with soluble glycoprotein fraction of A.sativum compared to the infected group represented by small sized, late fibro-cellular granuloma, the decrease in cellular constituents and degenerative changes in eggs. In conclusion, A.sativum treatment had effective schistosomicidal activities, through reduction of worm burden and tissue eggs, especially when it was given in purified glycoprotein fraction. Moreover, the soluble glycoprotein fraction of A.sativum largely modulates both the size and the number of granulomas.

Haematological Indices in Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei (Federe Isolate) Infected Nigerian Donkeys (Equus Asinus) Treated with Homidium and Isometamidium Chloride

AbstractThe efficacy of intramuscular administration of Homidium chloride (Novidium®) and Isometamidium chloride (Sécuridium®) in Nigerian donkeys (Equus asinus) experimentally infected with T. b. brucei (Federe isolate) was investigated. Changes in haematological and serum biochemical indices were evaluated using clinical haematology and biochemistry methods. Red blood cell (RBC) count for the negative control group was significantly higher than for the positive control, Novidium® and Sécuridium®-treatment groups. Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration significantly reduced in the infected untreated group compared with other groups. Packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly different between negative and positive controls, and also between the infected untreated and treatment groups. There was significant reduction in platelet counts post-infection and post-treatment. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) increased significantly in the treatment groups while mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) significantly reduced only in the Sécuridium®-treatment group. Lymphocyte count for infected untreated was non-significantly higher than for the uninfected controls, but treatment with both trypanocides recorded further increases, which were higher compared with that of the uninfected group. Post infection and treatment, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels increased significantly. There were non-significant differences in electrolyte ion concentrations across the groups except for chloride ion which recorded a significant reduction in the Novidium®-treatment group. This experiment revealed that Nigerian donkeys infected with T. brucei brucei (Federe isolate) developed symptoms of trypanosomosis; anaemia, lymphocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Treatment with the trypanocides ameliorated effects of the infection, and results suggest that immunosuppression may not be a substantial clinical manifestation of T. brucei brucei (Federe isolate) trypanosomosis in Nigerian donkeys.

Hepatic xanthine oxidase activity and purine nucleosides levels as physiological mediators to analyze a subcutaneous treatment with (PhSe)2 in mice infected by Toxoplasma gondii.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of purine nucleosides and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in the liver of mice chronically infected by Toxoplasma gondii and treated with diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2. For this experiment, forty Swiss mice were used. Twenty animals were orally infected by approximately 50 bradizoites of a cystogenic ME-49 strain of T.gondii, and the same number of uninfected mice was used as a control group. Ten infected and ten uninfected mice were subcutaneously treated twice (days 1 and 20 post-infection (PI)) with 5μmolkg-1 of (PhSe)2. On day 30 PI, liver samples were collected to measure the levels of hypoxanthine (HYPO), xanthine (XAN), uric acid (UA), and XO activity. Infected animals showed increased (P<0.05) levels of hepatic XAN and UA, as well as XO activity compared to uninfected animals. The use of (PhSe)2 in healthy mice increased the levels of all nucleosides, but decreased XO activity compared to healthy untreated animals. The group of infected and treated animals showed increased XAN and UA levels, and XO activity compared to the healthy control group, however infected and treated mice showed a decrease in the XO activity compared to the infected untreated group. We conclude that chronic infection caused by T.gondii can induce hepatic changes, such as increased UA levels and XO activity, that can increase the pro-oxidative profile. The (PhSe)2 treatment of healthy animals altered the levels of nucleosides, possibly due to low XO activity that decreased nucleoside degradation. Finally, (PhSe)2 treatment decreased XO activity in the infected group and increased nucleoside levels; however it was unable to reduce the UA levels found during the infection.

Anticoccidial properties of micronized curcumin against Eimeria tenella in experimentally infected broiler chickens

In this study, the anticoccidial properties of micronized curcumin against Eimeria tenella in a comparison with the ordinary one were investigated. The experiment was conducted using 105 broiler chicks, divided into four groups; micronized curcumin (A), curcumin (B), infected untreated (C) and uninfected untreated (D). Group A and B were treated for seven successive days with micronized curcumin (with sodium alginate) and curcumin suspended in corn oil respectively. All Chicks were infected orally with E. tenella at the 22th days of age except the control negative one. Depending on the anticoccidial indices (relative weight gain, survival rate, lesion value and oocyst value), the micronized curcum in treated group showed a higher protection than curcumin treated. As anti-oxidant, both of curcumin treated groups revealed a significant increase in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase comparing with the control infected untreated group at p ≤ 0.05. In addition, significant decrease of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of treated groups comparing with infected untreated group was recorded (p≤0.05). Since curcumin had anti-inflammatory properties, TNFα and IL 10 βR were significantly decreased in curcumin treated in a comparison with the infected untreated groups at p ≤ 0.05. In conclusion, the micronized curcumin has a marked role in restricting the adverse effect of E. tenella infection in broiler chickens better than curcumin alone.