Comparison of the effects of Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia absinthium growing in western Anatolia against trichinellosis (Trichinella spiralis) in rats

Effects of Artemisia absinthium on broiler chicken coccidiosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Coccidiosis is a recurring disease in broiler flocks that causes significant economic losses. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Artemisia absinthium on coccidiosis in broilers through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The article selection process included a search from the year 2000 to February 2021, with no restrictions on country or geographical region. Our objective was met by only six studies, which underwent systematic review. The meta-analysis was conducted using the metafor package in R via RStudio (version 1.1.383; RStudio, Inc.). The systematic review indicates that in vivo studies have shown the effectiveness of various plant extracts (essential oil and methanolic extract) when administered in food or drinking water on the considered parameters (oocyst shedding, bloody diarrhoea, mortality rate, weight gain, conversion index, lesion score). Furthermore, in vitro studies demonstrated a positive impact on oocyst count, LC50 (lethal concentration), sporulation rate (%), and sporulation inhibition rate (%). The meta-analysis of the four studies included in this analysis revealed that the inclusion of A. absinthium extract resulted in a significant reduction in oocyst shedding (SMD = -1.64, 95% CI: -2.72 to -0.55; P < 0.0001). However, the effectiveness of A. absinthium extract was not as significant as that of antibiotics (SMD = 0.57, 95% CI: -0.19 to 0.95; P = 0.0032). Various forms of administration and extracts of A. absinthium have demonstrated antiparasitic activity against Eimeria spp, making them suitable as natural anticoccidial agents.

Nanocurcumin: A Promising Therapeutic Candidate for Experimental Trichinellosis

In our pursuit of an alternative drug against Trichinella spiralis, we assessed the effectiveness of nanocurcumin in alleviating pathogenesis, parasitological factors, MMP-9 levels, and its expression in the enteral and parenteral phases of infection. The nanocurcumin particles, with a spherical shape and a size of 100 ± 20 nm, were used in the study. Eighty mice were divided into four groups: the control group, the untreated infected group, the nanocurcumin-treated group, and the albendazole-treated group. The nanocurcumin-treated group exhibited a statistically significant increase in the percentage of lymphocytes, along with a reduction in neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils compared to the untreated, infected group. Both the nanocurcumin (87.2 and 97.3%) and the albendazole-treated groups (99.8 and 98.2%) showed a significant reduction in the mean number of intestinal worms and encysted larvae, respectively. The treated groups exhibited normal intestinal villi, suppression of the inflammatory process, and fewer instances of degenerated larvae in the diaphragm and muscle compared to the untreated, infected group. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA analyses revealed a significant downregulation of MMP-9 levels in the intestines and muscles of the treated groups. Our data demonstrate that nanocurcumin contains highly versatile molecules capable of modulating biological activity against inflammation and its pathway markers.

In vivo assessment of the antiparasitic effects of Allium sativum L. and Artemisia absinthium L. against gastrointestinal parasites in swine from low-input farms

BACKGROUND

Ethno-veterinary practices could be used as a sustainable developmental tool by integrating traditional phytotherapy and husbandry. Phytotherapeutics are available and used worldwide. However, evidence of their antiparasitic efficacy is currently very limited. Parasitic diseases have a considerable effect on pig production, causing economic losses due to high morbidity and mortality. In this respect, especially smallholders and organic producers face severe challenges. Parasites, as disease causing agents, often outcompete other pathogens in such extensive production systems. A total of 720 faecal samples were collected in two farms from three age categories, i.e. weaners, fatteners, and sows. Flotation (Willis and McMaster method), modified Ziehl-Neelsen stained faecal smear, centrifugal sedimentation, modified Blagg technique, and faecal cultures were used to identify parasites and quantify the parasitic load.

RESULTS

The examination confirmed the presence of infections with Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Balantioides coli (syn. Balantidium coli), Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides ransomi, and Trichuris suis, distributed based on age category. A dose of 180 mg/kg bw/day of Allium sativum L. and 90 mg/kg bw/day of Artemisia absinthium L. powders, administered for 10 consecutive days, revealed a strong, taxonomy-based antiprotozoal and anthelmintic activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlighted the therapeutic potential of both A. sativum and A. absinthium against gastrointestinal parasites in pigs. Their therapeutic effectiveness may be attributed to the content in polyphenols, tocopherols, flavonoids, sterols, sesquiterpene lactones, and sulfoxide. Further research is required to establish the minimal effective dose of both plants against digestive parasites in pigs.

The aqueous extract of Artemisia Absinthium L. stimulates HO-1/MT-1/Cyp450 signaling pathway via oxidative stress regulation induced by aluminium oxide nanoparticles (α and γ) animal model

BACKGROUND

This research aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Artemisia Absinthium L. (Abs) against liver damage induced by aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) in rats, including both structural and functional changes associated with hepatotoxicity.

METHODS

Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6). The first group received no treatment. The second group was orally administered Abs at a dose of 200 mg/kg/b.w. The third and fifth groups were injected intraperitoneally with γ-Al2O3 NPs and α-Al2O3 NPs, respectively, at a dose of 30 mg/kg/b.w. The fourth and sixth groups were pre-treated with oral Abs at a dose of 200 mg/kg/b.w. along with intraperitoneal injection of γ-Al2O3 NPs and α-Al2O3 NPs, respectively, at a dose of 30 mg/kg/b.w.

RESULTS

Treatment with γ-Al2O3 NPs resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in total body weight gain, relative liver weight to body weight, and liver weight in rats. However, co-administration of γ-Al2O3 NPs with Abs significantly increased body weight gain (P < 0.05). Rats treated with Al2O3 NPs (γ and α) exhibited elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Conversely, treatment significantly reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and metallothionein-1 (MT-1) mRNAs, cytochrome P450 (CYP P450) protein, and histopathological changes were significantly up-regulated in rats injected with Al2O3 NPs. Pre-treatment with Abs significantly reduced MDA, AST, HO-1, and CYP P450 levels in the liver, while increasing GPx and T-SOD levels compared to rats treated with Al2O3 NPs.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that Abs has potential protective effects against oxidative stress, up-regulation of oxidative-related genes and proteins, and histopathological alterations induced by Al2O3 NPs. Notably, γ-Al2O3 NPs exhibited greater hepatotoxicity than α-Al2O3 NPs.

Gastroprotective effect of Artemisia absinthium L.: A medicinal plant used in the treatment of digestive disorders

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) is traditionally used for stomach pain and gastric relief. However, its possible gastroprotective effect has not yet been experimentally evaluated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study evaluated the gastroprotective effect of aqueous extracts obtained through hot and room temperature maceration of A. absinthium aerial parts in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The gastroprotective effect of hot aqueous extract (HAE) and room temperature aqueous extract (RTAE) from A. absinthium aerial parts were evaluated in rats using a model of acute gastric ulcer induced by ethanol p.a. The stomachs were collected to measure the gastric lesion area and histological and biochemical analysis. UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis was used to determine the chemical profile of the extracts.

RESULTS

Eight main peaks in the UHPLC chromatogram were identified in both HAE and RTAE extracts: tuberonic acid glycoside (1), rupicolin (2), 2-hydroxyeupatolide (3), yangabin (4), sesartemin (5), artemetin (6), isoalantodiene (7), and dehydroartemorin (8). For RTAE, a higher diversity of sesquiterpene lactones was observed. The groups treated with RTAE at 3%, 10%, and 30% presented a gastroprotective effect, reducing the lesion area by 64.68%, 53.71%, and 90.04%, respectively, when compared with the vehicle (VEH)-treated group. On the other hand, the groups treated with HAE at 3%, 10%, and 30% presented values of lesion areas higher than those of the VEH group. Changes in the submucosa layer, inflammatory process with edema, cellular infiltration, and mucin depletion were detected in the gastric mucosa exposed to ethanol, which was fully prevented by RTAE treatment. Neither HAE nor RTAE could increase the reduced glutathione levels in the injured gastric tissue, but RTAE (30%) reduced the formation of lipid hydroperoxides. When the rats were pre-treated with NEM (a chelator of non-protein thiols) or L-NAME (non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), the RTAE lost the ability to protect the gastric mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

This study corroborates the ethnopharmacological use of this specie to treat gastric disorders revealing the gastroprotective effect of the room-temperature aqueous extract of A. absinthium aerial parts. Its mode of action may involve the ability of the infusion to maintain the gastric mucosal barrier integrity.

Repurposing drugs to treat trichinellosis: in vitro analysis of the anthelmintic activity of nifedipine and Chrysanthemum coronarium extract

Albendazole is the most common benzimidazole derivative used for trichinellosis treatment but has many drawbacks. The quest for alternative compounds is, therefore, a target for researchers. This work aims to assess the in vitro anthelmintic effect of nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, and a methanol extract of the flowers of Chrysanthemum coronarium as therapeutic repurposed drugs for treating different developmental stages of Trichinella spiralis in comparison with the reference drug, albendazole. Adult worms and muscle larvae of Trichinella spiralis were incubated with different concentrations of the studied drugs. Drug effects were evaluated by parasitological and electron microscopic examination.As a result, the effects of these drugs on muscle larvae were time and dose-dependent. Moreover, the LC₅₀ after 48 h incubation was 81.25 µg/ml for albendazole, 1.24 µg/ml for nifedipine, and 229.48 µg/ml for C. coronarium. Also, the effects of the tested drugs were prominent on adult worms as the LC₅₀ was 89.77 µg/ml for albendazole, 1.87 µg/ml for nifedipine, and 124.66 µg/ml for C. coronarium. SEM examination of the tegument of T. spiralis adult worms and larvae showed destruction of the adult worms' tegument in all treated groups. The tegument morphological changes were in the form of marked swellings or whole body collapse with the disappearance of internal contents. Furthermore, in silico studies showed that nifedipine might act as a T. spiralis β-tubulin polymerization inhibitor.Our results suggest that nifedipine and C. coronarium extract may be useful therapeutic agents for treating trichinellosis and warrant further assessment in animal disease models.

In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic and chemical studies of Cyperus rotundus L. extracts

BACKGROUND

Trichinellosis, a zoonosis caused by the genus Trichinella, is a widespread foodborne disease. Albendazole, one of the benzimidazole derivatives, is used for treating human trichinellosis, but with limited efficacy in killing the encysted larvae and numerous adverse effects. Cyperus rotundus L. is a herbal plant with a wide range of medicinal uses, including antiparasitic, and is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat various illnesses.

METHODS

LC-ESI-MS was used to identify the active phytoconstituents in the methanol extract (MeOH ext.) of the aerial parts of C. rotundus and its derivate fractions ethyl acetate (EtOAc fr.), petroleum ether (pet-ether fr.), and normal butanol (n-BuOH fr.). The in vivo therapeutic effects of C. rotundus fractions of the extracts were evaluated using the fraction that showed the most promising effect after detecting their in vitro anti-Trichinella spiralis potential.

RESULTS

C. rotundus extracts are rich in different phytochemicals, and the LC-ESI-MS of the 90% methanol extract identified 26 phenolic compounds classified as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and organic acids. The in vitro studies showed that C. rotundus extracts had a lethal effect on T. spiralis adults, and the LC₅₀ were 156.12 µg/ml, 294.67 µg/ml, 82.09 µg/ml, and 73.16 µg/ml in 90% MeOH ext., EtOAc fr., pet-ether fr. and n-BuOH fr., respectively. The n-BuOH fr. was shown to have the most promising effects in the in vitro studies, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The in vivo effects of n-BuOH fr. alone and in combination with albendazole using a mouse model were evaluated by counting adults in the small intestine and larvae in the muscles, in addition to the histopathological changes in the small intestine and the muscles. In the treated groups, there was a significant decrease in the number of adults and larvae compared to the control group. Histopathologically, treated groups showed a remarkable improvement in the small intestine and muscle changes. Remarkably, maximal therapeutic effects were detected in the combination therapy compared to each monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, C. rotundus extracts may have anti-T. spiralis potential, particularly when combined with albendazole, and they may be used as synergistic to anti-T. spiralis medication therapy.

Eugenol; Effective Anthelmintic Compound against Foodborne Parasite Trichinella spiralis Muscle Larvae and Adult

Trichinosis is a foodborne parasitic infection that results from ingestion of raw or under-cooked pork meat infected by parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis with cosmopolitan distribution. Anthelmintic drugs are used to eliminate intestinal adult parasites and larvae as well as tissue-migrating newborn and in-turn encysted larvae. However, eliminating the infection or averting it from transmission is rarely possible using anthelmintic groups of benzimidazole derivatives. Eugenol (EO) is the main extracted constituent of clove oil (80−90%) and is responsible for its aroma. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of eugenol on both adult and muscle larvae of Trichinella spiralis in vitro. IC50 for different concentrations of eugenol were calculated for both muscle larvae (187.5 µM) and adults (190.4 µM) to determine the accurate dose range. Both the nematode stages were cultured in the commonly used RPMI-1640 media in 24-well plates. Different concentrations of eugenol (122, 305, 609, 1218, and 3045 µM) were administered in different groups of larvae/adults. The parasitological parameters were monitored after 1, 3, 6, 10, 24 h for each EO concentration in concomitant with the control groups. Reference chemotherapeutic anthelminthic drug “albendazole” (at dose 377 µM) was experimentally grouped in triplicates as positive control and the untreated as negative control, respectively. Mortality was observed where time-dependent adult stages were less susceptible than muscle larvae. Eugenol achieved 100% efficacy against T. spiralis larvae and killed the total larvae after 10 and 24 h at concentrations of 1218 and 3045 µM, the same as albendazole’s effect on the positive control group. In regard to adults, resembling muscle larvae (ML), a significant effect of both concentrations at p < 0.0001 was obtained, and the concentration × time interaction was significant at p < 0.0001. Furthermore, the treated/untreated adult and muscle larvae were collected and processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Massive destruction of parasite burden was observed, especially at high concentrations (1218 and 3045 µM). In addition, complete and mild loss in cuticular striation in both the treated and positive controls were confirmed by SEM, respectively, in comparison to the control untreated group.

Antiparasitic Tannin-Rich Plants from the South of Europe for Grazing Livestock: A Review

Internal parasites are one of the main causes of health threats in livestock production, especially in extensive livestock farming. Despite the environmental toxic effects (loss of dung beetles, biodiversity, and other issues) and resistance phenomenon derived from their prolonged use, anti-parasitic chemical pharmaceuticals are frequently used, even in organic farming. Such a situation within the context of climate change requires urgent exploration of alternative compounds to solve these problems and apparent conflicts between organic farming objectives regarding the environment, public health, and animal health. This review is focused on some plants (Artemisia spp., Cichorium intybus L., Ericaceae family, Hedysarum coronarium L., Lotus spp., Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) that are well known for their antiparasitic effect, are voluntarily grazed and ingested, and can be spontaneously found or cultivated in southern Europe and other regions with a Mediterranean climate. The differences found between effectiveness, parasite species affected, in vitro/in vivo experiments, and active compounds are explored. A total of 87 papers where antiparasitic activity of those plants have been studied are included in this review; 75% studied the effect on ruminant parasites, where gastrointestinal nematodes were the parasite group most studied (70%), and these included natural (31%) and experimental (37%) infections.

Artemisia vulgaris Linn: an updated review on its multiple biological activities

Background

Artemisia vulgaris Linn, an annual herb, is also known as Mugwort or Wormwood in English, Nagadouna in Hindi, Mashibattiri, or Machipatri in Tamil. Native habitats are temperate Asia, Europe, Northern Africa and Alaska. Ethnomedicinally, it is used in traditional treatments to treat depression, epilepsy, irritability, insomnia and stress. This plant is called Herbaka in the Philippines and is used to alleviate hypertension. It is utilized as a culinary herb in western countries and is often used to flavor rice dishes and tea in Asia.

Main body of the abstract

Botanical description, holistic approaches, ethnomedical uses and phytochemical screening of A. vulgaris along with its various in vitro/in vivo pharmacological activities reported are the prime focus of this literature. The primary phytoconstituents and diverse pharmacology of this plant have been fully uncovered in order to learn about its previously unrecognized ethnomedicinal uses and provide scientists with new knowledge to advance their study of this plant.

Short conclusion

This review includes various principle phytoconstituents (hydroxybenzoic acid, rutoside, camphen, 1, 8-cineole and α-thujone) which are extensively shown biological activities such as analgesic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. However, further investigations are needed for identifying chemical constituents responsible for the claimed ethnomedicinal uses along with their mechanism of action. It is also anticipated here that the review will be the current understanding of Artemisia vulgaris application in complementary and alternative medicine.

Artemisia Species with High Biological Values as a Potential Source of Medicinal and Cosmetic Raw Materials

Artemisia species play a vital role in traditional and contemporary medicine. Among them, Artemisia abrotanum, Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia annua, Artemisia dracunculus, and Artemisia vulgaris are the most popular. The chemical composition and bioactivity of these species have been extensively studied. Studies on these species have confirmed their traditional applications and documented new pharmacological directions and their valuable and potential applications in cosmetology. Artemisia ssp. primarily contain sesquiterpenoid lactones, coumarins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Essential oils obtained from these species are of great biological importance. Extracts from Artemisia ssp. have been scientifically proven to exhibit, among others, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antidepressant, cytotoxic, and digestion-stimulating activities. In addition, their application in cosmetic products is currently the subject of several studies. Essential oils or extracts from different parts of Artemisia ssp. have been characterized by antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. Products with Artemisia extracts, essential oils, or individual compounds can be used on skin, hair, and nails. Artemisia products are also used as ingredients in skincare cosmetics, such as creams, shampoos, essences, serums, masks, lotions, and tonics. This review focuses especially on elucidating the importance of the most popular/important species of the Artemisia genus in the cosmetic industry.

The Effects of Allium sativum L., Artemisia absinthium L., Cucurbita pepo L., Coriandrum sativum L., Satureja hortensis L. and Calendula officinalis L. on the Embryogenesis of Ascaris suum Eggs during an In Vitro Experimental Study

Ascaris suum is present in traditionally managed indoor pig herds and in industrialized farms, especially in older fatteners and sows. The increasing resistance to common antihelminthic drugs redirected research towards alternative and traditional therapies, which also include medicinal plants. This study comparatively evaluated the in vitro antiparasitic effects of Allium sativum L., Artemisia absinthium L., Cucurbita pepo L., Coriandrum sativum L., Satureja hortensis L. and Calendula officinalis L. against A. suum egg hatching and larval development. A. suum eggs were sampled from randomized fecal specimens collected from traditionally raised swine. The egg suspension (ES, 12 × 10³/mL) was divided into two controls (C) (1C—1 mL ES + 1 mL distilled water, 2C—five plates of 1 mL ES + 1 mL ethanol of 70%, 35%, 17.5%, 8.75%, and 4.375%, respectively) and six experimental groups, and placed in 3 mL cell plates. The experimental groups (EG, 1–6) included ES + each alcoholic plant extract (10%, 5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, 0.625%). Both C and EG were performed in quintuplicate. All variants were incubated at 27 °C for a total of 21 days. A. suum eggs were examined after 2, 14 (L1), and 21 (L2/L3) days of incubation. The efficacy of all tested plant extracts increased with concentration. Anti-embryogenic effects on A. suum eggs were expressed by all plants. A superior influence was observed in A. sativum L., A. absinthium L., C. pepo L. and S. hortensis L. extracts, at all concentrations tested. A. sativum L. and A. absinthium L. extracts showed the strongest antihelminthic activity, while C. sativum L. and C. officinalis L. were the weakest ascaricids. Future in-depth phytochemical studies are required to identify the compounds responsible for the anthelminthic properties of these plant species.

Potential therapeutic effect of platelet-rich plasma and albendazole on the muscular phase of experimental Trichinella spiralis infection

Trichinellosis is a food-borne parasitic infection causing muscle damage. This study aimed to detect the potential therapeutic effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) alone or in combination with albendazole (ALB) on the muscular phase of experimental Trichinella infection in rats. The study was conducted on 70 rats divided into four main groups: healthy non-infected non-treated rats, non-infected rats treated with PRP, infected untreated rats (seven rats in each group), and an infected group of 49 rats. The infected group was further subdivided based on the drug therapy received. The effects of drug therapy were evaluated using parasitological and histopathological analyses.

The percent reduction in the number of Trichinella spiralis larvae per gram of muscle in the PRP-treated groups (one, two, and three doses) was 43.1%, 78.8%, and 86.1%, respectively. Groups treated with combined therapy of ALB & PRP (one, two, and three doses) showed overall reduction percentages of 87.7%, 90.9% and 95.2%, respectively. In contrast, the ALB-treated group showed a 69.4% reduction. All results of the abovementioned groups were statistically significant compared to the control-infected non-treated group.

The findings of the histopathological analysis were consistent with the parasitological results. Groups receiving combined therapy showed the most significant improvement in terms of the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. It can be concluded that PRP has a modulatory effect on the pathology caused by T. spiralis larvae in the muscular phase of trichinellosis.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effect of PRP on the muscular phase of T. spiralis infection.

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PRP has a modulatory effect on the pathology caused by T. spiralis larvae on the muscular phase of trichinellosis.

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Two and three doses of PRP therapy showed a therapeutic effect in the muscular phase of trichinellosis.

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Albendazole treatment combined with PRP is a promising treatment option.

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A potential role of platelets in controlling Trichinella infections is identified.

A potential herbal therapeutic for trichinellosis

Background

Trichinellosis is a helminthic disease caused by Trichinella spiralis via the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat of infected animals. Current estimates indicate that 11 million humans have trichinellosis, worldwide. The effective use of anti-trichinella medications is limited by side effects and resistance which highlight the critical need for safe and effective drugs, particularly those derived from medicinal plants. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the ethanolic extract of Artemisia annua (A. annua) in treatment of experimentally induced trichinellosis.

Materials and methods

Trichinellosis was induced experimentally in male 6–8 weeks BALB/c mice. BALB/c mice were divided into four groups, 10 mice each. One group was left uninfected and untreated, whereas three groups were infected with T. spiralis. One infected group of mice was left untreated (negative control) while the remaining two infected groups received either 300 mg/kg of the ethanolic extract of A. annua or 50 mg/kg of albendazole (positive control). All treatments started from the third day post-infection (dpi) for 3 successive days. All animals were sacrificed on the 7th dpi for evaluation of treatment efficacy.

Results

Our findings showed that A. annua treatment reduced the T. spiralis adult-worm count in the intestine of infected animals. Moreover, treatment with A. annua restored the normal intestinal architecture, reduced edema, alleviated inflammation as demonstrated by reduced inflammatory infiltrate and expression of TGF-β in intestinal tissues of A. annua-treated animals compared to infected untreated animals.

Conclusions

Our findings show that A. annua extract is effective in treating experimentally induced trichinellosis which highlight the therapeutic potential of A. annua for intestinal trichinellosis.

Ultrastructural tegumental changes of Trichinella spiralis adult and larval stages after in vitro exposure to Allium sativum

Albendazole (ALB) is the most used therapeutic drug for trichinellosis treatment, but it has many drawbacks. Hence, the search for alternative natural compounds is a goal for researchers. The present work aimed to test the in vitro anthelmintic effect of Tomex (Allium sativum) against adult and muscular larva of Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis). We incubated adult forms and muscular larvae of T. spiralis with Tomex at concentrations 10, 50, and 100 μg/mL to evaluate the changes that happened on the cuticle using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Although ALB was very effective, Tomex also affected motility and the tegumental structure of T. spiralis, which was in proportion to its concentration and incubation time, as Tomex started the mortality of muscular larvae and adult stages after 4 h at 50 μg/mL, and after 6 h at10 μg/mL. A 50% mortality rate of muscular larvae was recorded after 6 h at 100 μg/mL. However, a 50% mortality rate was recorded after 12 h at 10 μg/mL for the adult stage. Adult worms and muscular larvae of T. spiralis incubated with 100 μg/mL of Tomex displayed loss of normal annulations and creases of the cuticle, multiple vesicles, widening of longitudinal furrow space, and multiple minor loss blebs. Our results suggested that Tomex can be a therapeutic agent against adults and larvae stages of T. spiralis.

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

Trichinosis is a serious zoonotic disease that causes human morbidity and mortality. New effective natural remedies with minimal side effects that are well tolerated are needed to treat both enteral and parenteral trichinosis. This study evaluated the efficacy of selenium (Se), Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) and Egyptian propolis compared with albendazole as antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic agents for treating murine trichinosis. We used parasitological, histopathological and immunohistochemical assays, as well as scanning electron microscopy, to examine adult worms. Overall, 80 Swiss albino male mice were divided into eight groups, with ten mice in each group, as follows: negative control, positive control, albendazole, propolis, Se, combination of propolis and Se, SeNPs and combination of SeNPs and propolis. Mice were slaughtered seven and 35 days after infection to examine the intestinal and muscular phases, respectively. This study demonstrated the efficacy of the combination of SeNPs and propolis. As revealed by electron microscopy, this combination caused damage to the adult worm cuticle. Additionally, compared with albendazole, it resulted in a significant reduction in adult worm and total larval counts; moreover, it caused a decrease in the number of larvae deposited in muscles, with a highly significant decrease in the inflammatory cell infiltrate around the larvae and a considerable decrease in the expression of the angiogenic marker vascular endothelial growth factor in muscles. In conclusion, the combination of SeNPs and propolis had antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects on trichinosis. Consequently, this combination could be used as a natural alternative therapy to albendazole for treating trichinosis.

Phenotypic changes of Trichinella spiralis treated by Commiphora molmol,Lepidium sativum, and Albendazole: in vitro study

Trichinellosis is a nematode-causing disease distinguished by its continuous transmission in the carnivores and omnivores. Despite effective eradication of the enteral forms, conventional drugs fail to eliminate the migrating and muscle ones. Over the past years, researchers intensified the work on herbal medicines as alternatives or aids to albendazole, the reference drug. This research hypothesizes that the therapeutic agent absorption route could be an evidence-based carrier molecule or auxiliary drug to albendazole. Accordingly, this in vitro study was designed to investigate mainly the phenotypic changes induced by a mono-treatment of albendazole, Lipidium sativum (garden cress), and Commiphora molmol (myrrh). Incredibly, no data were reported on the morphological alterations of T. spiralis larvae treated by any of these drugs. The experimental design tested various concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml) of each herbal medicine for the lethal effects on the parasite forms for a day (1, 12, and 24h). The data showed that the highest significant mortality rate of the parasite forms was in favor of the concentration 200 μg/ml of both plant extracts in a time-dependent manner. Therefore, albendazole at 200 μg/ml dose was tested in parallel, and all experimental groups were compared to non-treated muscle larvae and worms. Albendazole-treated worms accounted for the least significant (p<0.001) survival rate (2 %), followed by myrrh (5 %), and the adverse was valid for the survival rate of the muscle larvae at that time. None of the larvae/worms was alive after 24 hours of incubation with the 200μg/ml of either treatment. The scanning electron microscope investigation of the experimental groups provided a shred of evidence for different routes of taking up the candidate drugs by the parasite. In conclusion, the results of the previous work in vivo and current in vitro study recommend myrrh over garden cress as a complementary agent of albendazole.

Medicinal Plants as an Alternative to Control Poultry Parasitic Diseases

Parasitic infections are a major public health concern affecting millions of people universally. This review elaborates on the potential impacts of plants and their bioactive components that have been widely used in the cure of several parasitic infections of poultry. The medicinal importance of natural herbs depends upon their bioactive ingredients, which are originated from crude plants, consequently leading to the specific action on the body. Due to the limited availability of effective drugs and high cost, the development of drug resistance in several harmful parasites and microbes leads to huge economic losses in the poultry industry. This will impose the development of innovative sources for drugs to overwhelm the therapeutic failure. Moreover, the environment-friendly feed additives which can be applied as a substitute to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) for broilers were proven. The application of natural products with therapeutic characteristics is an ancient practice that is appropriately gaining more acceptance. Globally, it is assessed that some 20,000 species of higher plants are used medicinally, although traditional medicine has a scarcity of knowledge on its efficiency and wellbeing. This review explores the usage of medicinal herbs for parasitic infections, emphasizing the recent knowledge available while detecting the research gaps which may be explored to find the usage of herbal medicines for parasitic infections in poultry. In conclusion, herbal medicines are the effective source of prime components for drug detection and the formation of phytopharmaceuticals in the control of devastating parasitic infections. There is a prerequisite to applying the traditional medicine information in clinical applications via value addition.

Efficacy of Zingiber officinale and Cinnamomum zeylanicum extracts against experimental Trichinella spiralis infection

Trichinellosis is a re-emerging zoonotic disease that has become a public health concern since its reported human outbreaks in many countries. The traditional therapy has many adverse effects in addition to the developing resistance. So, this necessitates finding effective natural alternatives. The current study targeted to assess the potential therapeutic effects of Zingiber officinale and Cinnamomum zeylanicum in comparison to albendazole, a conventional therapy for treatment of trichinosis. Sixty mice were classified into five groups (12 mice each), non-infected control, infected control, combined albendazole and prednisolone, Zingiber officinale, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum treated groups. Mice sacrifice was performed on the 7th and 35th days post infection for intestinal and muscular phases respectively. Efficiency of the used preparations was assessed by parasitological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical studies in addition to ultrastructural evaluation using transmission electron microscopy. A significant reduction in the mean number of T. spiralis adult worms and larvae was observed in Zingiber officinale and Cinnamomum zeylanicum treated groups, (64.5%, 50.8%) and (68%, 54.6%) respectively. Also, both extracts showed moderate cytoplasmic reactivity for TGF-β1, (69.3% & 67.8%) respectively. The highest reduction in serum TNF- α level was observed in Zingiber officinale treated group during the muscle phase (58.4%) while in the intestinal phase was 50%. The ultrastructural study revealed degenerative effects on both adults and larvae in addition to obvious improvement of the histopathological changes in the small intestine and muscles. We concluded that these herbal extracts especially Zingiber officinale can be considered a practical and successful alternative for the treatment of trichinellosis.

Effect of mast cell stabilization on angiogenesis in primary and secondary experimental Trichinella spiralis infection

BACKGROUND

Mast cells are known to affect the primary and secondary immune responses against parasites, and this effect is partially mediated through the release of pro-angiogenic mediators. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the mast cell stabilizer (MCS), ketotifen, with and without albendazole, an anti-parasitic prescription medicine, on the inflammatory response against Trichinella spiralis, with the overall aim to investigate its effect on angiogenesis accompanying nurse cell formation.

METHODS

The effect of ketotifen and albendazole was explored in eight groups of female BALB/c mice. Four groups were sensitized with a small dose of T. spiralis larvae. The drug regimen was then applied to both sensitized (challenged) and non-sensitized mice. The parasite load was assessed by histopathological examination of the small intestine and muscle tissue, and angiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

RESULTS

Sensitized mice showed a significantly lower parasite load and a more pronounced inflammatory response than mice receiving a single infective dose of T. spiralis larvae. All treated groups showed a significant reduction in parasite count compared to the control groups (groups IAa and IBa), reaching approximately an 98.8% reduction in adult parasite count in the sensitized group treated with albendazole (groups IIAb and IIBb). MCS significantly decreased the parasite count during both the intestinal or muscular phases, reduced tissue inflammation, and decreased local VEGF expression, both in the non-sensitized and sensitized groups.

CONCLUSION

Sensitization with a low dose of T. spiralis larvae was found to confer a partial protective immunity against re-infection and to positively affect the study outcomes, thus underlining the importance of vaccination, but after extensive studies. The anti-angiogenic effect of MCS protects against larval encystation during the muscle phase. The anti-angiogenic potential of albendazole suggests that the action of this anti-helminthic during trichinellosis is not confined to structural damage to the parasite cuticle but includes an effect on host immunopathological response.

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

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.

Therapeutic efficacy of mebendazole and artemisinin in different phases of trichinellosis: a comparative experimental study

The present work aimed at studying the efficacy of mebendazole (MBZ) compared to artemisinin (ART) for the treatment of trichinellosis at various phases of infection. Seventy Swiss albino mice were orally infected by 300 Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) larvae. Mice were divided into infected untreated control group and infected groups treated with 50 mg kg-1 MBZ and 300 mg kg-1 ART for three and five consecutive days, respectively, at the enteral phase [2-4 days post infection (PI)], invasive phase (10-12 days PI) and encapsulated phase (28-30 days PI). All mice were sacrificed 35-42 days PI. MBZ and ART revealed a significant decrease in mean larval counts and increase of larval per cent reduction (LR %) when treatment was initiated during the enteral phase compared to the other phases. MBZ showed significantly higher LR % (99.7, 83.95 and 89.65%) than ART (80.58, 67.0 and 79.2%) when administered at the three infection phases. Histopathological study showed a decrease in the number of encysted larvae, their surrounding cellular infiltrates and increased regenerative muscles in all treated mice. In conclusion, ART possesses a substantial anthelmintic activity against T. spiralis infection in mice both at the enteral and encapsulated phases, yet, significantly lower than MBZ.

Significance of Artemisia Vulgaris L. (Common Mugwort) in the History of Medicine and Its Possible Contemporary Applications Substantiated by Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies

Artemisia vulgaris L. (common mugwort) is a species with great importance in the history of medicine and was called the “mother of herbs” in the Middle Ages. It is a common herbaceous plant that exhibits high morphological and phytochemical variability depending on the location where it occurs. This species is well known almost all over the world. Its herb—Artemisiae vulgaris herba—is used as a raw material due to the presence of essential oil, flavonoids, and sesquiterpenoids lactones and their associated biological activities. The European Pharmacopoeia has listed this species as a potential homeopathic raw material. Moreover, this species has been used in traditional Chinese, Hindu, and European medicine to regulate the functioning of the gastrointestinal system and treat various gynecological diseases. The general aim of this review was to analyze the progress of phytochemical and pharmacological as well as professional scientific studies focusing on A. vulgaris. Thus far, numerous authors have confirmed the beneficial properties of A. vulgaris herb extracts, including their antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antispasmolytic, antinociceptive, estrogenic, cytotoxic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. In addition, several works have reviewed the use of this species in the production of cosmetics and its role as a valuable spice in the food industry. Furthermore, biotechnological micropropagation of A. vulgaris has been analyzed.

Artemisia absinthium L.-Importance in the History of Medicine, the Latest Advances in Phytochemistry and Therapeutical, Cosmetological and Culinary Uses

Artemisia absinthium-wormwood (Asteraceae)-is a very important species in the history of medicine, formerly described in medieval Europe as "the most important master against all exhaustions". It is a species known as a medicinal plant in Europe and also in West Asia and North America. The raw material obtained from this species is Absinthii herba and Artemisiae absinthii aetheroleum. The main substances responsible for the biological activity of the herb are: the essential oil, bitter sesquiterpenoid lactones, flavonoids, other bitterness-imparting compounds, azulenes, phenolic acids, tannins and lignans. In the official European medicine, the species is used in both allopathy and homeopathy. In the traditional Asian and European medicine, it has been used as an effective agent in gastrointestinal ailments and also in the treatment of helminthiasis, anaemia, insomnia, bladder diseases, difficult-to-heal wounds, and fever. Today, numerous other directions of biological activity of the components of this species have been demonstrated and confirmed by scientific research, such as antiprotozoal, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, analgesic, neuroprotective, anti-depressant, procognitive, neurotrophic, and cell membrane stabilizing and antioxidant activities. A. absinthium is also making a successful career as a cosmetic plant. In addition, the importance of this species as a spice plant and valuable additive in the alcohol industry (famous absinthe and vermouth-type wines) has not decreased. The species has also become an object of biotechnological research.

Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Actions, and Pharmacokinetics of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Plants have been used since ancient times to cure certain infectious diseases, and some of them are now standard treatments for several diseases. Due to the side effects and resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to antibiotics and most drugs on the market, a great deal of attention has been paid to extracts and biologically active compounds isolated from plant species used in herbal medicine. Artemisia absinthium is an important perennial shrubby plant that has been widely used for the treatment of several ailments. Traditionally, A. absinthium has always been of pharmaceutical and botanical importance and used to manage several disorders including hepatocyte enlargement, hepatitis, gastritis, jaundice, wound healing, splenomegaly, dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence, gastric pain, anemia, and anorexia. It has also been documented to possess antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, anti-ulcer, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antidepressant, analgesic, immunomodulatory, and cytotoxic activity. Long-term use of A. absinthium essential oil may cause toxic and mental disorders in humans with clinical manifestations including convulsions, sleeplessness, and hallucinations. Combination chemotherapies of artemisia extract or its isolated active constituents with the currently available antibabesial or anti-malarial drugs are now documented to relieve malaria and piroplasmosis infections. The current review examines the phytoconstituents, toxic and biological activities of A. absinthium.

Vaccaria n-Butanol Extract Lower the Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines and the Infection Risk of T. spiralis In Vivo

INTRODUCTION

Trichinellosis is a severe zoonosis involving the activation of inflammatory cells, accompanied by the prominent expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in the host. Semen vaccariae, the seeds of Vaccaria segetalis (Neck.) Garcke. ex Asch. (Caryophyllaceae), is a famous traditional herb that is rich in vaccaria n-butanol extract (VNE). Vaccarin is one major active component of VNE, and it is reported in the treatment of stranguria disease. Hypaphorine is another main active component of VNE and has good anti-inflammatory effect, whereas the potential bioactivity of VNE in trichinellosis treatment is still unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was designed to evaluate the potential anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory activity of VNE toward T. spiralis infection. ICR mice were used to assess the effect of VNE on repression larvae and adult worms in vivo. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to evaluate the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2.

RESULTS

Our results showed that VNE could effectively depress the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2. The adult worms were decreased by 79.53%, while the muscle larvae were diminished by 77.70% as compared to the control.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that VNE may be a promising therapeutic agent against the inflammation and diseases caused by T. spiralis infection.

Chemical Profile and Biological Activities of Essential Oil from Artemisia vulgaris L. Cultivated in Brazil

Essential oil from the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris L. (Compositae) cultivated in Brazil was investigated for its chemical composition and biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic. The constituents of essential oils isolated by hydro-distillation were examined by GC-MS and a total of 18 components were identified. The essential oil was dominated by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (44.4%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (33.3%), and oxygenated monoterpenes (16.6%). Caryophyllene (37.45%), germacrene D (16.17%), and humulene (13.66%) were the major components. The essential oils from A. vulgaris showed bactericidal and fungicidal properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, respectively. Anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus was absent in this essential oil. Altogether above results indicate that essential oils from A. vulgaris can be used for various medicinal purposes.

The Extracts of Artemisia absinthium L. Suppress the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through Induction of Apoptosis via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Mitochondrial-Dependent Pathway

Artemisia absinthium L. has pharmaceutical and medicinal effects such as antimicrobial, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant activities. Here, we prepared A. absinthium ethanol extract (AAEE) and its subfractions including petroleum ether (AAEE-Pe) and ethyl acetate (AAEE-Ea) and investigated their antitumor effect on human hepatoma BEL-7404 cells and mouse hepatoma H22 cells. The cell viability of hepatoma cells was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The apoptosis, cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of proteins in the cell cycle and apoptotic pathways were detected by Western blot. AAEE, AAEE-Pe, and AAEE-Ea exhibited potent cytotoxicity for both BEL-7404 cells and H22 cells through the induction of cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, AAEE, AAEE-Pe, and AAEE-Ea significantly reduced Δψm, increased the release of cytochrome c, and promoted the cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-9, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in BEL-7404 and H22 cells. AAEE, AAEE-Pe, and AAEE-Ea significantly upregulated the levels of ROS and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP). Further, AAEE, AAEE-Pe, and AAEE-Ea significantly inhibited tumor growth in the H22 tumor mouse model and improved the survival of tumor mice without side effects. These results suggest that AAEE, AAEE-Pe, and AAEE-Ea inhibited the growth of hepatoma cells through induction of apoptosis, which might be mediated by the endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial-dependent pathway.

Therapeutic efficacy of Artemisia absinthium against Hymenolepis nana: in vitro and in vivo studies in comparison with the anthelmintic praziquantel

Hymenolepis nana is a common intestinal tapeworm that affects humans. Drugs are available for the treatment of this infection, including praziquantel (PZQ), nitazoxanide and niclosamide. Although the drug of choice is praziquantel, due to its high cure rates, indicators of the development of PZQ resistance by different parasites have begun to appear over recent decades. Therefore, this study was a trial to find an alternative to PZQ by assessing the activity of the crude aqueous extract of the medicinal herb Artemisia absinthium against H. nana. In vitro, the extract was used against adult worms at concentrations of 1 and 5 mg/ml, in comparison with 1 mg/ml of PZQ. The times of worm paralysis and death were determined. Ultrastructural morphological changes were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For the in vivo study, infected mice were divided into untreated, PZQ-treated and A. absinthium-treated groups (400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg). Pre- and post-treatment egg counts per gram of faeces (EPG) were performed; then, the reduction percentages of the EPG and worm burden were calculated. The best results were obtained with praziquantel. Artemisia absinthium induced worm paralysis, death and ultrastructural alterations, such as tegumental damage, lipid accumulation, and destruction of the nephridial canal and the intrauterine eggs, in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, significant reductions in the EPG and worm burden were recorded in A. absinthium-treated mice. Although the results obtained with A. absinthium were promising and comparable to PZQ, further studies using different extracts, active ingredients and concentrations against different parasites should be conducted.

Strategies to enhance biologically active-secondary metabolites in cell cultures of Artemisia - current trends

The genus Artemisia has been utilized worldwide due to its immense potential for protection against various diseases, especially malaria. Artemisia absinthium, previously renowned for its utilization in the popular beverage absinthe, is gaining resurgence due to its extensive pharmacological activities. Like A. annua, this species exhibits strong biological activities like antimalarial, anticancer and antioxidant. Although artemisinin was found to be the major metabolite for its antimalarial effects, several flavonoids and terpenoids are considered to possess biological activities when used alone and also to synergistically boost the bioavailability of artemisinin. However, due to the limited quantities of these metabolites in wild plants, in vitro cultures were established and strategies have been adopted to enhance medicinally important secondary metabolites in these cultures. This review elaborates on the traditional medicinal uses of Artemisia species and explains current trends to establish cell cultures of A. annua and A. absinthium for enhanced production of medicinally important secondary metabolites.

Implication of artemisinin nematocidal activity on experimental trichinellosis: In vitro and in vivo studies

Benzimidazole drugs are used for treatment of trichinellosis, but they have a limited effect against encapsulated larval stages of Trichinella spiralis. Hence, there is a considerable interest in developing new anthelmintic drugs. Our aim is to investigate the possible effect of artemisinin on T. spiralis in in vitro and in vivo studies. T. spiralis worms were isolated from infected mice and transferred to 3 culture media; group I: with no drugs, group II: contained artemisinin and group III: contained mebendazole, then they were subjected to electron microscopic study. An in vivo study was done where mice were divided into three groups; group I: infected and untreated, group II: received artemisinin and group III: received mebendazole. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by adult and total larval counts, histopathological study of the small intestinal and muscle tissues and immunohistochemical staining of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in muscles. Adult worm teguments showed significant degeneration and destruction with both drugs. Also, significant reduction of total adult and larval counts occurred in treated groups in comparison to the control group. Histopathological examination of the small intestine and muscles showed marked improvement with reduction in the inflammatory infiltrates with both drugs. COX-2 and VEGF expressions were reduced in both treated groups with more reduction in the artemisinin-treated group. This study revealed that artemisinin has the potential to be an alternative drug against trichinellosis.

Effect of myrrh and thyme on Trichinella spiralis enteral and parenteral phases with inducible nitric oxide expression in mice

Trichinellosis is a serious disease with no satisfactory treatment. We aimed to assess the effect of myrrh (Commiphora molmol) and, for the first time, thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) against enteral and encysted (parenteral) phases of Trichinella spiralis in mice compared with albendazole, and detect their effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Oral administration of 500 mg/kg of myrrh and thyme led to adult reduction (90.9%, 79.4%), while 1,000 mg/kg led to larvae reduction (79.6%, 71.3%), respectively. Administration of 50 mg/kg of albendazole resulted in adult and larvae reduction (94.2%, 90.9%). Positive immunostaining of inflammatory cells infiltrating intestinal mucosa and submucosa of all treated groups was detected. Myrrh-treated mice showed the highest iNOS expression followed by albendazole, then thyme. On the other hand, both myrrh and thyme-treated groups showed stronger iNOS expression of inflammatory cells infiltrating and surrounding encapsulated T. spiralis larvae than albendazole treated group. In conclusion, myrrh and thyme extracts are highly effective against both phases of T. spiralis and showed strong iNOS expressions, especially myrrh which could be a promising alternative drug. This experiment provides a basis for further exploration of this plant by isolation and retesting the active principles of both extracts against different stages of T. spiralis.

Selective nematocidal effects of essential oils from two cultivated Artemisia absinthium populations

Essential oils (EOs) obtained from two crops and populations of thujone-free cultivated Artemisia absinthium were tested against two nematode models, the mammalian parasite Trichinella spiralis, and the plant parasitic root knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. The EOs were characterized by the presence of (Z)-epoxyocimene and chrysanthenol as major components and showed time and population dependent quantitative and qualitative variations in composition. The EOs showed a strong ex vivo activity against the L1 larvae of the nematode Trichinella spiralis with a reduction of infectivity between 72 and 100% at a dose range of 0.5-1 mg/ml in absence of cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Moreover, the in vivo activity of the EO against T. spiralis showed a 66% reduction of intestinal adults. However, these oils were not effective against M. javanica.

Some popular medicinal plants and diseases of the Upper Palaeolithic in Western Georgia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Palynological studies of cultural layers of cave sediments have been used in order to better understand traditional practices. The Upper Palaeolithic in Georgia (36,000-11,000 cal. BP) provides a rich source of such material. However, up to day from such sediments the identification of medicinal plants has hardly been achieved. Large quantities of pollen most notably from entomophilous taxa in fossil spectra can serve as a tool to identify traditionally important species. As these plants are used in modern popular medicine on the territory of Georgia (like Achillea millefolium L., Artemisia annua L., Artemisia absinthium L., Centaurea jacea L., Urtica dioica L.) can be served as an indirect evidence for their medicinal relevance from the Palaeolithic Period up to days. Their modern uses may point that the main diseases during the Upper Palaeolithic were the same as today.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Upper Palaeolithic sediments were studied palynologically come from four caves: Dzudzuana, Satsurblia, Kotias Klde and Bondi. Modern sediments were investigated from 6 caves. Fossil and modern samples were taken according to the standard procedure in palynology. The laboratory treatment was carried out as follows: first, 50g of the sample was boiled in 10% KOH. At the second stage, centrifuging of the material in cadmium liquid was performed. At the final stage, acetolysis treatment was used.

RESULTS

Pollen of A. absinthium L. (Asteraceae), A. annua L. (Asteraceae), A. millefolium L. (Asteraceae), C. jacea L. (Asteraceae), and U. dioica L. (Urticaceae) are identified to species level. This species are not edible and are popular in present-day folk medicine. In the Upper Palaeolithic layers, significant amounts of studies species pollen were recorded in the cave, likely due to their flowering branches being brought in by humans for use. Detailed consideration of the pharmacological characteristics of the examined species showed that almost all of them have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antipyretic activity.

CONCLUSION

The fossil pollen complex of medicinal herbs, dominated by A. millefolium and Artemisia (A. annua and A. absinthium), suggests that the ancient population living in the studied caves could have been prone to malaria, rheumatism and gastrointestinal diseases. In the Upper Palaeolithic, the population inhabiting cave sites might have suffered from gout and callouses.

Volatile composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Artemisia absinthium growing in Western Ghats region of North West Karnataka, India

CONTEXT

Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae) is an aromatic, herbaceous, perennial plant commonly known as wormwood. Artemisia absinthium is traditionally used as an anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and for bacillary dysentery, cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The essential oil composition of the leaves of A. absinthium growing in the Western Ghats region of North West Karnataka, India, is investigated for the first time in this region and the oil was screened for antimicrobial properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil obtained from the leaves of A. absinthium was analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The oil was tested against five Gram positive and, eight Gram negative bacteria and three fungi by the tube-dilution method at a concentration range of 5000-9 µg/mL.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that the leave oil was found to be rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (39.7% and 41.1%). The major compounds were borneol (18.7% and 16.7%), methyl hinokiate (11.9% and 12.9%), isobornyl acetate (4.0% and 4.7%), β-gurjunene (3.8% and 4.4%) and caryophyllene oxide (3.7% and 4.3%), among 64 identified compounds, comprising 91.7% and 90.1% of the total oil. The organism Micrococcus luteus was found more susceptible to the oil with an MIC value of 25 ± 4 µg/mL, followed by Micrococcus flavus, Bacillus subtilis, Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus fumigatus with MIC values of 58 ± 8, 65 ± 8, 84 ± 15 and 91 ± 13 µg/mL, respectively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The oil showing antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi validate the traditional use of the plant as an antiseptic.

Inhibitory effect of herbal remedy PERVIVO and anti-inflammatory drug sulindac on L-1 sarcoma tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis in Balb/c mice

Anticancer activity of many herbs was observed for hundreds of years. They act as modifiers of biologic response, and their effectiveness may be increased by combining multiple herbal extracts . PERVIVO, traditional digestive herbal remedy, contains some of them, and we previously described its antiangiogenic activity. Numerous studies documented anticancer effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We were the first to show that sulindac and its metabolites inhibit angiogenesis. In the present paper the combined in vivo effect of multicomponent herbal remedy PERVIVO and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sulindac on tumor growth, tumor angiogenesis, and tumor volume in Balb/c mice was studied. These effects were checked after grafting cells collected from syngeneic sarcoma L-1 tumors into mice skin. The strongest inhibitory effect was observed in experimental groups treated with PERVIVO and sulindac together. The results of our investigation showed that combined effect of examined drugs may be the best way to get the strongest antiangiogenic and antitumor effect.

Viper venom induced inflammation with Montivipera xanthina (Gray, 1849) and the anti-snake venom activities of Artemisia absinthium L. in rat

The present study was conducted to explore the characterization of Montivipera xanthina crude venom partially by in vitro and in vivo and the anti-snake venom activities of Artemisia absinthium L. in comparison with carrageenan-induced acute inflammation model in rats. The LD50 value was estimated as 8.78 mg/kg within 24 h by different venom doses administrated intraperitoneally in mice. The IC50 value was 0.43 ± 0.18 μg/ml after 48 h treatment while the calculated value was 0.73 ± 0.10 μg/ml for the culture media totally refreshed after 2 h treatment with venom. Wistar rats were treated intraperitoneally with A. absinthium extract, 30 min before venom or carrageenan was injected subplantarly into the left hind paw. Intraperitoneal administration of 25 and 50 mg/kg extract was inhibited venom induced paw swelling at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 h (p < 0.05) while 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg extract treatment was inhibited carrageenan-induced paw swelling at 2, 3, 4 and 5 h (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the in vivo toxicity and inflammatory actions and in vitro cytotoxic actions of crude M. xanthina venom were performed as a first report and inhibition of venom-induced inflammation by methanolic extract of A. absinthium was described.

In vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activity of the essential oil of Artemisia lancea against Haemonchus contortus (Strongylida)

Prolonged use of chemical anthelmintics has been found to result in anthelmintic resistance and environmental issues, thereby limiting the application of these drugs in domestic animals and prompting interest in the study of plant extracts as alternative sources thereof. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of the essential oil (EO) of Artemisia lancea against the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus using egg hatch assay, larval development assay, and larval migration inhibition assay. The EO yield of extraction was 0.63% (w/w), and the major constituents were 1,8-cineole (34.56%) and camphor (16.65%). In the egg hatch assay, an inhibition greater than 99% was observed with the EO at 10 mg mL(-1) and the LC50 was 1.82 mg mL(-1). 1,8-Cineole demonstrated moderate ovicidal activity with a LC50 of 4.64 mg mL(-1), whereas camphor did not show enough activity to have its LC50 determined. In the larval development assay, the EO, 1,8-cineole, and camphor inhibited 93.6%, 65.2%, and 57% of larval development at 10 mg mL(-1) and exhibited dose-dependent responses with LC50 values of 1.66, 5.07, and 7.80 mg mL(-1), respectively. In the migration inhibition assay, the EO and 1,8-cineole at best inhibited 77% and 60.3% of larval migration at 10 mg mL(-1), respectively. Camphor showed low inhibition capacity, and its efficacy was not dose dependent. The results indicate that the in vitro anthelmintic activity of the EO of A. lancea may be associated with the additive action of the two major constituents, as well as other more minor terpenoid components.

In vitro antimicrobial activity on clinical microbial strains and antioxidant properties of Artemisia parviflora

BACKGROUND

Artemisia parviflora leaf extracts were evaluated for potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Antimicrobial susceptibility assay was performed against ten standard reference bacterial strains. Antioxidant activity was analyzed using the ferric thiocyanate and 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. Radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content were compared. Phytochemical analyses were performed to identify the major bioactive constitution of the plant extract.

RESULTS

Hexane, methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of A. parviflora leaves exhibited good activity against the microorganisms tested. The n-hexane extract of A. parviflora showed high inhibition of the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri. Methanol extract showed strong radical scavenging and antioxidant activity, other extracts showed moderate antioxidant activity. The major derivatives present in the extracts are of terpenes, steroids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins and volatile oil.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained with n-hexane extract were particularly significant as it strongly inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. flexneri. The major constituent of the n-hexane extract was identified as terpenes. Strong antioxidant activity could be observed with all the individual extracts. The antimicrobial and antioxidant property of the extracts were attributed to the secondary metabolites, terpenes and phenolic compounds present in A. parviflora and could be of considerable interest in the development of new drugs.

In vitro antioxidant and radical-scavenging capacities of Citrullus colocynthes (L) and Artemisia absinthium extracts using promethazine hydrochloride radical cation and contemporary assays

A new, quick and economical decolorization assay based upon the generation of a radical cation made from promethazine hydrochloride (PMZH) is described for screening of antioxidant activity of plants/herbal extracts. PMZH radical cations, produced through a reaction between PMZH and potassium persulfate (K(2)S(2)O(8)) in phosphoric acid medium, have maximum absorption at 515 nm in their first-order derivative spectrum. Theconcentrations of chromagen and K(2)S(2)O(8) were optimized (final concentration of PMZH and K₂S₂O₈ were 0.166 mM and 0.11 mM, respectively) for better stability and sensitivity of the radical cation produced. Agood linear correlation was found between the percentage inhibition and the increasing amounts of standard antioxidants, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.989 to 0.999. The newly developed assay was employed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Citrullus colocynthes L. and Artemisia absinthium extracts. The proposed assay involved a more stable radical cation and required only 1 h for preparation of a working solution in comparison to the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation decolorizaion assay, which was reported to be less sensitive at low pH and almost 12-16 h were required for preparation of a working ABTS solution. Other assays employed to evaluate the antioxidant potential andradical-scavenging capacities of the extracts were the ferric-reducing antioxidant power, 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, total phenolic contents assay, total flavonoid contents and metal-chelating activity assays, and the lipid peroxidation value in linoleic acid emulsion systems. The results indicate that boththe plants have potent free radical-scavenging activity and the ability to prevent lipid peroxidation and radical chain reactions.

Organic parasite control for poultry and rabbits in British Columbia, Canada

Plants used for treating endo- and ectoparasites of rabbits and poultry in British Columbia included Arctium lappa (burdock), Artemisia sp. (wormwood), Chenopodium album (lambsquarters) and C. ambrosioides (epazote), Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle), Juniperus spp. (juniper), Mentha piperita (peppermint), Nicotiana sp. (tobacco), Papaver somniferum (opium poppy), Rubus spp. (blackberry and raspberry relatives), Symphytum officinale (comfrey), Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion), Thuja plicata (western redcedar) and Urtica dioica (stinging nettle).

Efficacy of Lasia spinosa leaf extract in treating mice infected with Trichinella spiralis

Trichinellosis is a widespread zoonoses for which no effective drug treatment is available at this time. Though anthelmintics such as mebendazole and albendazole are commonly used to treat human trichinellosis, none of these drugs are fully effective against the encysted or new-born larvae of Trichinella spiralis. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing newer anthelminthics from medicinal plants, particularly the ones used in traditional medicines in many parts of the world, due to the increasing spread of anthelminthic resistance and/or decreasing activity against encapsulated larval stages of parasites. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of leaf extract of Lasia spinosa (Araceae) against different life cycle stages of T. spiralis, i.e. adult (days 3 and 4 post-infection), migrating larvae (days 8, 9 and 10 post-infection) and encysted muscle larvae (days 31-37 post-infection). The study showed that L. spinosa leaf extract is effective against all the three life cycle stages of parasite. Against the adult stage, an oral administration of plant extract at 800 mg/kg dose revealed a 75.30% reduction in the number of adult worms, as compared to untreated controls at day 10 post-infection. Whereas against migrating larvae, the same dose of plant extract given for 3 days, reduced the number of larvae recovered from musculature of treated animals by 72.23%. However, in comparison of preceding two stages, the extract showed comparatively less efficacy against the encysted larvae of parasite. In this case, the 800 mg/kg dose of extract given for 7 days (after 30 day of post-infection) revealed only 64.84% reduction in the number of encysted larvae, as was evident from larval count on day 49 post-infection. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that leaf extract of L. spinosa possesses significant anthelminthic efficacy against the adult stages and migrating larvae of T. spiralis. On the other hand, the encysted muscle larvae of parasite are comparatively less sensitive to L. spinosa leaf extract treatment.

In vitro trematocidal effects of crude alcoholic extracts of Artemisia annua, A. absinthium, Asimina triloba, and Fumaria officinalis: trematocidal plant alcoholic extracts

Trematode infections negatively affect human and livestock health, and threaten global food safety. The only approved human anthelmintics for trematodiasis are triclabendazole and praziquantel with no alternative drugs in sight. We tested six crude plant extracts against adult Schistosoma mansoni, Fasciola hepatica, and Echinostoma caproni in vitro. Mortality was best achieved by ethanolic extracts of Artemisia annua (sweet Annie), Asimina triloba (paw-paw), and Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) which, at 2 mg/mL, killed S. mansoni and E. caproni in 20 h or less (except for wormwood), F. hepatica between 16 and 23 h (sweet Annie), or 40 h (paw-paw). Some extracts were active at 0.2 mg/mL and 20 μg/mL, although more time was required to kill trematodes. However, aqueous A. annua and methanol extracts of Fumaria officinalis had no activity. Chromatographic analysis of the three best extracts established that A. annua and A. triloba extracts contained bioactive artemisinin and acetogenins (asimicin and bullatacin), respectively. The anthelmintic activity of our extracts at such low doses indicates that their anthelmintic activity deserves further testing as natural alternative controls for parasites of both animals and humans. Our results also support recent evidence that synergistic effects of multiple bioactive compounds present in crude plant extracts is worth exploring.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants in Nor-Yauyos, a part of the Landscape Reserve Nor-Yauyos-Cochas, Peru

AIM OF THE STUDY

To collect, analyze and evaluate the ethnopharmacologic knowledge in Nor-Yauyos in order to protect it. This paper reports the results of an ethnopharmacological survey on the uses of medicinal plants by inhabitants of the Andean region Nor-Yauyos, Peru. In this region one surviving ethnic group, the Jaqaru-Quichuas, has been identified.

METHODOLOGY

Field work was concluded between October 1999 and March 2000, using semi-structured questionnaire and participant observation as well as transects walks in wild herbal plant collection. Interviews with 68 informants (mean age: 54; 100% men, 0% women) were performed in 12 farmers' communities: Huancaya, Vilca, Vitis, Miraflores, Piños, Carania, San Lorenzo De Alis, Santa Rosa De Tinco, Tomás, Huancachi, Laraos and Huantán.

RESULTS

63 species of plants belonging to 29 families were reported. More than a half of reported plants were native, endemic of the studied area. Leaves and their mixtures were the most (67.26%) commonly used plant part. Most of the remedies were prepared in infusion, and 90.08% were administered orally. Most treated disorders were the gastrointestinal (18.59%) and respiratory ones (18.22%).

CONCLUSIONS

6 species (9.52%) without pharmacological references in international scientific literature, 21 species (33.33%) with 1-2 references, 16 species (25.40%) with 3-6 references, and 20 species (31.75%) that have been already widely studied were found.

Effects of artemisinin and Artemisia extracts on Haemonchus contortus in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Haemonchus contortus is a blood-sucking abomasal parasite of small ruminants that is responsible for major losses to producers worldwide. Resistance of this nematode to commercial anthelmintics has produced a demand for alternative control methods. Plants in the genus Artemisia have traditionally been used as anthelmintics and whole plants and plant extracts have demonstrated activity against gastrointestinal nematodes in several studies. In addition, Artemisia annua is the sole commercial source of artemisinin, the raw material used to produce drugs effective against the hemoprotozoan malaria parasites (Plasmodium species). Artemisinin derivatives have also shown efficacy against some trematodes, including Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma species. In this study, artemisinin was tested for efficacy against H. contortus in a gerbil model of infection. Also tested in the gerbil model were an aqueous extract, an ethanolic extract and the essential oil of A. annua, and an ethanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium. In all experiments, gerbils were infected with 600 third-stage H. contortus larvae. In experiment 1, gerbils were treated orally with 400 milligrams per kilogram body weight (mg/kg BW) artemisinin once or 200mg/kg BW artemisinin daily for 5 days (Days 4-8 post-infection). In experiment 2, gerbils were treated daily for 5 days with 600 mg/kg BW of A. annua ethanolic or aqueous extract. In Experiment 3, gerbils were treated with 1000 mg/kg BW of A. annua or A. absinthium ethanolic extract or with 300 mg/kg BW of A. annua essential oil daily for five consecutive days (Days 4-8 post-infection). No significant effects of treatment were seen with artemisinin or any of the Artemisia species extracts at the dosages studied. The non-ionic surfactant Labrosol(®) was an effective nontoxic solvent for delivery of hydrophilic plant extracts and the lipophilic essential oil used in the study.

In vivo hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of Artemisia absinthium L. against chemically and immunologically induced liver injuries in mice

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate in vivo hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of Artemisia absinthium L. (AEAA), which has been used for the treatment of liver disorders in Traditional Uighur Medicine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the AEAA was performed by means of thin layer chromatography and spectrophometric assays. Aqueous extract (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered orally to experimental mice. Liver injury was induced chemically, by a single CCl(4) administration (0.1% in olive oil, 10 ml/kg, i.v.), or immunologically, by injection of endotoxin (LPS, 10 microg, i.v.) in BCG-primed mice. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) in mouse sera, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in mouse liver tissues were measured. The biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination.

RESULTS

Obtained results demonstrated that the pretreatment with AEAA significantly (P<0.001) and dose-dependently prevented chemically or immunologically induced increase in serum levels of hepatic enzymes. Furthermore, AEAA significantly (P<0.05) reduced the lipid peroxidation in the liver tissue and restored activities of defense antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx towards normal levels. In the BCG/LPS model, increase of the levels of important pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-alpha and IL-1 was significantly (P<0.01) suppressed by AEAA pretreatment. Histopathology of the liver tissue showed that AEAA attenuated the hepatocellular necrosis and led to reduction of inflammatory cells infiltration. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins in the AEAA.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study strongly indicate the protective effect of AEAA against acute liver injury which may be attributed to its antioxidative and/or immunomodulatory activity, and thereby scientifically support its traditional use.