Experimental Study: The Therapeutic Effect of Garlic Plant Extract in Respiratory Cryptosporidiosis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.5.1.16Keywords:
Garlic aqueous extract, Genetic type, Respiratory CryptosporidiosisAbstract
This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of an aqueous garlic extract against respiratory cryptosporidiosis caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, and to determine whether there were histological or molecular changes after treatment. The experiment was conducted on 60 rats (Rattus norvegicus) experimentally infected by inhaling a suspension containing parasitic oocysts. These rats were then treated with the extract, metronidazole, or both. Histological examinations showed a significant improvement in the extract-treated group, represented by a decrease in oocyst density and tissue inflammation. The combined treatment (extract + metronidazole) showed better results, with tissues almost completely returning to normal. Molecularly, the study revealed alterations in the sequence of the target genes and a change in the isolate type, as confirmed by the genotyping of two different isolates in the gene bank. This may be attributed to the effect of the highly concentrated cis-aconitic anhydride compound present in the garlic extract, according to HPLC results. The results indicate the ability of plant extracts to induce genetic changes in the parasite, which calls for extensive studies to understand the mechanism of influence at the level of gene expression and the whole genome.
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