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Published on: December 9, 2014
Effects of Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract on chronic toxoplasmosis in a mouse model
Maysa Ahmad Eraky1, Amany Farouk El-Fakahany2, Nagwa Mostafa El-Sayed3
1Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, 13518, Egypt. maysa.hassan@fmed.bu.edu.eg.
Abstract:
The current work was undertaken to investigate the potential effectiveness of Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract (TVE) against Toxoplasma gondii infection in chronic experimental toxoplasmosis. To evaluate prophylactic effects, mice received 500 mg/kg TVE for 5 days before they were infected by an avirulent Me49 T. gondii strain. To investigate the therapeutic effects of the extract postinfection, daily treatment with TVE was initiated at 6 weeks postinfection and continued for 10 days. The following groups of animals were used as controls: uninfected/non-treated, infected/non-treated, and infected/treated with a combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Brain cyst count and histopathological changes using H&E and Feulgen stains were used to evaluate the efficacy of TVE. The mean number of brain cysts was significantly decreased by 24 % in mice treated prophylactically with TVE. TVE also significantly reduced the mean number of brain cysts when administered to animals already chronically infected with T. gondii. The effect of TVE was comparable to that of treatment with a mixture of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine (46 and 51 % reduction, respectively). Moreover, considerable amelioration of the pathological lesions in the brain and retina was observed. The results demonstrate the potential efficacy of T. vulgaris as a new natural therapeutic and prophylactic agent for use in the treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis.
Insights
Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract (TVE) shows promise in combating chronic Toxoplasma gondii infections. This natural compound effectively reduced brain cysts both preventatively and therapeutically in mice, offering a potential new treatment for toxoplasmosis.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Parasitology
- Natural Products Research
Background:
- Toxoplasma gondii infection causes chronic toxoplasmosis, posing a significant health concern.
- Current treatments for toxoplasmosis have limitations, necessitating the search for novel therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract (TVE) against chronic experimental toxoplasmosis.
- To evaluate the efficacy of TVE in reducing brain cyst burden and histopathological damage.
Main Methods:
- Mice were treated with TVE prophylactically (5 days before infection) or therapeutically (6 weeks post-infection).
- Infection was established using an avirulent Me49 strain of T. gondii.
- Brain cyst counts and histopathological changes (H&E, Feulgen stains) were assessed.
- Control groups included uninfected/non-treated, infected/non-treated, and infected/treated with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine.
Main Results:
- Prophylactic TVE treatment reduced brain cysts by 24%.
- Therapeutic TVE administration significantly decreased brain cyst numbers.
- TVE's efficacy was comparable to the standard drug combination (pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine).
- Significant amelioration of brain and retinal lesions was observed with TVE treatment.
Conclusions:
- Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract demonstrates significant potential as a natural prophylactic and therapeutic agent for chronic toxoplasmosis.
- TVE offers a promising alternative or complementary treatment option for toxoplasmosis.
- Further research into TVE's mechanism of action and clinical application is warranted.
