Capsicum frutescens and Citrus limon: a new take on therapy against experimental trichinellosis

Abstract

Trichinellosis is a zoonotic disease that endangers human health and can lead to death. Restricted absorption and poor results of conventional therapies demand new effective natural remedies to treat both enteral and parenteral trichinellosis. This study assessed the antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory effects of Citrus limon and Capsicum frutescens on murine trichinellosis and compared them with those of albendazole and prednisolone, which are conventionally used to treat trichinellosis. Overall, 50 Swiss albino male mice were divided into five groups, with ten mice in each group: negative control, positive control, albendazole combined with prednisolone, C. limon, and C. frutescens. Mice were sacrificed 7 and 35 days after infection, for intestinal and muscular phase analyses. Drug efficacies were parasitologically, biochemically, histopathologically and ultrastructurally assessed. Our results demonstrated the efficacy of C. frutescens and C. limon extracts as antiparasitic agents, showing a substantial decrease in adult and larval counts. Moreover, both extracts had the ability to decrease serum tumour necrosis factor-α levels during the intestinal and muscular phases. In addition to the improved histopathological changes in the small intestine and muscles, the destructive effects on adults and larvae were ultrastructurally evident on transmission electron microscopy. In conclusion, C. frutescens and C. limon extracts are promising remedies for the treatment of experimental trichinellosis, particularly, the C. frutescens extract.

Egyptian propolis and selenium nanoparticles against murine trichinosis: a novel therapeutic insight

“…The effect of albendazole on T. spiralis larvae was lower than that its effect on adults due to the limited bioavailability of oral administration and water solubility of albendazole (Caner et al, 2008). These results are consistent with those of Salama et al (2021), who reported that the percentages of reduction in both total adult worm and muscle larval counts in the albendazole treated group were 93.5% and 90.6%, respectively. Moreover, Huang et al (2020) reported the high efficacy of albendazole on adult worms and its reduced efficacy on muscle larval counts at 97.7% and 49.1%, respectively.…”

“…These results are consistent with those of Salama et al . (2021), who reported that the percentages of reduction in both total adult worm and muscle larval counts in the albendazole treated group were 93.5% and 90.6%, respectively. Moreover, Huang et al .…”

“…In accordance with the results of the present study, Salama et al . (2021) found that natural remedies such as Capsicum frutescens and Citrus limon extracts had a strong nematicidal effect on murine trichinosis, with percentage reductions in adult worm count of 68.54% and 58%, respectively, and percentage reductions in larval count of 71.6% and 61%, respectively. Compared with the positive control group, the C .…”

Evaluation of Clinicopathological alterations in mice experimentally infected with Trichenella spiralis and the Nematocidal effect of Tannic acid and Albendazole

“…Most drugs that are used for treatment of Trichinella infection have low bioavailability and a high degree of resistance (Abd El-Hamed et al, 2022). That's why the recent research focus on the investigation of naturally originated medications for treatment of trichinellosis (Salama et al, 2021).…”

“…Trichinellosis is a perilous zoonotic parasitic disease of public health importance (Abd-ELrahman et al, 2020). Worldwide, approximately 11 million individuals and over 150 mammalian species as well as birds and reptiles have been infected by T. spiralis (Salama et al, 2021). Trichinella spiralis is present in Egypt, and it was diagnosed in man as well as in pigs slaughtered in Cairo abattoirs (Fahmy et al, 2020).…”