Author(s)

Soheir S. Mahmoud, Eman Aly, Zeinab H. Fahmy, Amal El Shenawy

Departments of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of (Commiphora molmol(Myrrh)) extract as alternative treatment in hamsters against giardiasis. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the new compound (Commiphora molmol(Myrrh)), as agent a natural product extracted from the roots of Zingiber officinal, on Giardia lamblia infection as anti-protozoal and to study the parasitological and Histopathological impact of this treatment on the duodenal mucosa of infected hamsters. Fifty hamsters were divided into five groups: Group (A): normal control. Group (B): Giardia lamblia infected and untreated hamsters served as control. Group (C): infected with Giardia lamblia and treated with metronidazole in dose (120 μg/kg body weight twice daily for 7 successive days). Group (D) Giardia lamblia infected and orally treated with Myrrh (500 mg/Kg for 1 week). Group (E): Giardia lamblia infected and orally treated with combination 1/3 dose of (120 μg/kg body weight) metronidazole and Myrrh (250 mg/Kg) for 1 week). After 2 weeks of the treatment, hamsters were sacrificed. The highest percentages of reduction in the number of Giardia lamblia cysts and trophozoites were in the group receiving combined metronidazole and myrrh. Histopathological examination revealed complete healing of intestinal mucosa after the combined treatment, while partial healing of the lining epithelium of the intestine was noticed after metronidazole and either myrrh plant treatment.

Giardia lamblia, Metronidazole, Commiphora molmol (Myrrh) Extract, Infected Mice

Mahmoud, S. , Aly, E. , Fahmy, Z. and Shenawy, A. (2019) Effect of Commiphora molmol (Myrrh) Extract on Mice Infected by Giardia lamblia. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 7, 50-60. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2019.710005.