Potential therapeutic and prophylactic effects of Asafoetida in murine cryptosporidiosis

This study aims to test the potential therapeutic and prophylactic effects of a natural herbal agent (Asafoetida) versus the nowadays drug of choice (Nitazoxanide). Fifty bred female, white Albino mice of CDI strain were divided into 5 groups;group I (GI): immunosuppressed, infected withC. parvum and treated with Asafoetida,group II (GII): immunosuppressed, prophylactically treated with Asafoetida for 7  days prior to infection,group III (GIII): immunosuppressed, infected and treated with Nitazoxanide,group IV (GIV): immunosuppressed and infected (Positive control),group V (GV): immunosuppressed and non infected (Negative control). Parasitological and histopatholgical examinations of the stool, ileocaecal and liver specimens were performed for the study groups.GI showed reduction of the mean oocyst count in stool with improvement of the pathological changes at the ileocaecal region with preservation of hepatic architecture. Results ofGI were better thanGII andGIV but not as good asGIII.GII showed the least improvement among the test groups.GIII showed the best response between the test groups.GIV show no statistical significant difference between the mean oocyst count in the mice stool at the time of infection and 7  days after infection. It was therefore concluded that Asafoetida is a promising natural therapeutic and prophylactic agent against cryptosporidiosis while, Nitazoxanide is the best chemotherapeutic agent against cryptosporidiosis.
Source: Journal of Parasitic Diseases - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research