Background: Trichinellosis is a food-borne parasitic disease caused by ingestion of meat contaminated with Trichinella spiralis larvae and remains a global health concern. Despite the effectiveness of albendazole as the standard treatment, its limitations, including incomplete efficacy in certain stages and potential adverse effects, have encouraged researchers to explore alternative therapeutic strategies (23). The pathology of trichinellosis is associated with initial inflammatory response during the intestinal phase, and subsequent allergic and inflammatory responses during larval migration and invasion of the host muscles (10).
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Calotropis procera on experimentally intestinal Trichnella spiralis infected mice.
Materials and methods: mice were classified into 4 main groups; each group contains 5 mice: Group I: Non infected, non-treated (normal control). Group II: Infected non treated (infected control). Group III: Infected and treated with L. acidophilus 109 CFU/ml/100 μL daily for 3 consecutive days from 3rd day p.i. Group IV: Infected and treated orally (500 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days from 3rd day p.i) by aqueous stem latex and flowers of Calotropis procera. Parasitological counts and oxidative stress markers (MDA, GST) were assessed.
Results: Calotropis procera and L. acidophilus showed significant reductions compared to infected controls.
Conclusion: Calotropis procera and L. acidophilus exhibit promising antiparasitic effects against intestinal T. spiralis, supporting further investigation into plant- and probiotic-based therapies.
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