GC-MS Profiling and Protective Effects of Juglans regia Endocarp against Coccidiosis-Induced Liver Injury in Murine...

Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria species, is a major parasitic disease of animals that results in substantial economic losses worldwide. The increasing limitations of conventional anticoccidial drugs, including drug resistance and adverse effects, have intensified search for effective plant-derived alternatives. This study investigated anticoccidial and hepatoprotective activities of methanolic Juglans regia endocarp extract (JREE) against Eimeria papillata infection in C57BL/6 mice through parasitological, biochemical, histopathological, and oxidative stress assessments. Phytochemical profiling by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified 26 bioactive constituents in JREE. Thirty-five male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to seven groups: negative control, non-infected JREE-treated (300 mg/kg), infected untreated, infected mice treated with JREE (100, 300, or 600 mg/kg), and infected mice treated with amprolium (120 mg/kg). Mice were orally infected with approximately 1 × 10³ sporulated E. papillata oocysts and treated daily for five days. 300 mg/kg dose exhibited the greatest anticoccidial efficacy, reducing fecal oocyst shedding by 89.58% compared with infected untreated mice. JREE treatment also significantly improved liver function biomarkers and restored infection-induced reductions in glucose and protein concentrations toward normal values. Histopathological examination demonstrated that JREE markedly attenuated hepatic inflammation, cellular degeneration, and structural damage induced by E. papillata. Also, JREE alleviated hepatic oxidative stress by reducing hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels while restoring glutathione content. These findings demonstrate that JREE possesses potent anticoccidial and hepatoprotective activities, likely mediated by its rich phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties. Therefore, J. regia endocarp extract represents a promising natural therapeutic candidate for management of coccidiosis and further field-based investigations.