Evaluation of the effect of albendazole and Nigella sativa combination on Visceral Larvae Migrans (Toxocara canis) in mice

Abstract

Visceral Larvae Migrans (VLM) is a syndrome in humans, caused by Toxocara canis larvae. A current and completely successful treatment protocol against such a common infection has yet to be established. In this study, the effect of combination of albendazole and N. sativa oil for the treatment of VLM was investigated. Five experimental groups were constituted and a total of 125 Swiss albino (male, 6-8 weeks old) mice were used. All mice in each group were infected with 750 T. canis eggs with infective larvae, except the negative control group. 100 mg/kg albendazole and 0.15 ml Nigella sativa oil were applied orally to groups ALB and NSO separately and given orally to group COM in combination. The efficacy of the treatment was investigated parasitologically, histo-pathologically, and hematologically on the 7th, 14th, 28th, 45th, and 60th days post-infection with necropsies. The larval recovery analyses revealed that, the highest treatment efficacy was obtained in group of combination. The treatment efficacy was 72.46%, 48.81%, 36.25% in the groups of COM, ALB, and NSO, respectively. The most severe pathological changes were developed in Group ALB, and the inflammatory reactions and pathological changes in Groups of COM and NSO were mild. We conclude that N. sativa oil enhances the larvicidal effect of albendazole by having an anti-inflammatory effect and increasing tissue defense and immunity.

Keywords

• Albendazole
• mice
• Nigella sativa
• Toxocara canis
• Visceral Larvae Migrans

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