Treating Hymenolepiasis with Pumpkin Seeds: Effect on Ileum Histology and Dwarf Tapeworm Morphology

Hymenolepis nana is a worldwide intestinal tapeworm parasite that mainly infects children due to a lack of awareness and hygiene. Recently, Praziquantel (PZQ), the drug of choice for treating hymenolepiasis, has shown serious side effects. This study aimed to evaluate histological changes in the ileum of the small intestine caused by hymenolepiasis in an experimental animal model and to assess the efficacy of pumpkin seeds extract (PSE) in eliminating the parasite at different periods compared to medicinal treatment with PZQ drug. In addition, we investigated the morphological alterations in adult dwarf tapeworms after treatment with pumpkin seed extract.

The histological examination of the small intestine was conducted among four experimental mice groups: normal non-infected control group, infected untreated group, infected and PZQ treated group, and the fourth group was infected and treated with PSE.The morphological investigations were performed on mice from the infected untreated group and those from the infected and treated with pumpkin seed extract group.

Treatment with PSE showed a noticeable preservation of the normal structure of villi and crypts with a normal thickness of the muscle layer. In addition, there was a marked decrease in the number of mononuclear leukocytes and goblet cells. This effect was observed to be duration dependent. The size of the mature segment in the untreated control group ranged from 342.85 to 415.38 μm, and 14.28-26.92 μm in length and width, respectively. The gravid segments revealed a uterus with eggs subjugating the entire area in the segment, with size ranges from 373.33 to 576.92 μm in length and 46.66-76.92 μm in width. The treated group with PSE showed mature segments with size ranged from 261.53 to 346.42 μm in length and 7.69-21.42 μm in width, while the gravid segments ranged from 30.76 to 50 μm and 414.28-492.30 μm, in width and length, respectively. The treatment with pumpkin seed extract tenanted the worm growth through an apparent reduction in the sizes of proglottids, deformity of the lateral margins and gonads, loss of internal structure, and reduction of egg production.

The results of this study clearly reveal the efficacy of pumpkin seeds on H. nana infection, a promising, safe, inexpensive natural alternative anthelmintic therapy, with more superior and significant results in improving and protecting mucosal integrity in comparison to PZQ.