Effects of Mirazid(®) and myrrh volatile oil on adult Fasciola gigantica under laboratory conditions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of Mirazid(®) and myrrh volatile oil on adult Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica ) under laboratory conditions.

METHODS

The effects of oleoresin extract of myrrh (Mirazid(®)) and myrrh volatile oil on the surface morphology of adult F. gigantica following treatment in vitro had been determined by scanning electron microscopy. The results were compared with those observed in the fluke tegument following incubation in triclabendazole sulphoxide (TCBZ-SO), active form, (Fasinex(®), Ciba-Geigy).

RESULTS

Observations of the efficacy of Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract and myrrh volatile oil indicated that both products showed dose-dependent anthelmintic efficacy. The anterior half of the fluke was consistently more severely affected than the posterior half. The surface changes induced by Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract were less severe than those observed after exposure to either myrrh volatile oil or TCBZ-SO. Flukes showed swelling after these treatments, but its level and blebbing were much greater with myrrh volatile oil; in which patches of tegumental sloughing were observed in the apical cone and the posterior mid-body region of flukes. This was not observed after treatment with Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract.

CONCLUSIONS

The comparatively more disruption, observed in myrrh volatile oil exposed specimens, compared to that exposed to Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract might suggest that the anthelmintic activity of Mirazid(®) oleo resin extract was attributed to its content of volatile oil. So, increasing the concentration of myrrh volatile oil in Mirazid(®) might possibly help to developing its anthelmintic activity.

Mirazid (Commiphora molmol) in treatment of human heterophyiasis

A total of 3278 patients attended Mansoura University Hospitals' Clinics with gastro-intestinal troubles suggesting parasitosis were examined by direct smear and by Kato-Katz methods for parasites especially Heterophyes heterophyes. Fifty clinically and parasitologically proved pure heterophyiasis patients were given Mirazid as two capsules for 9 successive days on an empty stomach an hour before breakfast. All the cases were subjected to history taking and clinical examination before treatment and were followed-up for four weeks post-treatment. There was an overt clinical and parasitological improvement. A total of 47 out of 50 (94%) were cured. Another course was given to the three patients who were still positive, but only two of them were cured (66.7%). The overall cure rate was 49/50 (98%) and none had any side effect. The history and treatment of this zoonotic parasite was critically discussed.

Commiphora molmol extracts as plant molluscicide against Lymnaea natalensis

Two extracts from the herbal plant, Commiphora molmol showed a high molluscicidal effect against Lymnaea natalensis. The oil extract was more potent than the oleo-resin. A concentration of 10 ppm of the oil extract killed 100% of L. natalensis after 5th day, but the oleo-resin extract killed 100% of them at a concentration 20 ppm after 5th day.

Effect of Mirazid (Commiphora molmol) on experimental heterophyidiasis

Mirazid (MZ), an oleo-resin extract derived from Myrrh was reported in several experimental and clinical trails to be safe and effective against other trematodes like schistosomiasis and fascioliasis. This experimental work aimed at investigating the possible efficacy of MZ against heterophyids (Pygidiopsis genata), using praziquantel as a therapeutic control. Results showed that MZ in emulsion form is a promising drug for the treatment of heterophyidiasis, as proved by significant reduction of worm count, overt surface tegumental changes like deformity and erosion of tegumental spines observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effective dose regimen was 500 mg/kg/d for 3 successive days, produced 100% reduction in worm load. The proved efficacy of the drug, together with reported low toxicity, relative to praziquantel, favours its use as a natural new alternative therapy for the treatment of human heterophyidiasis.

Acaricidal efficacy of Myrrh (Commiphora molmol) on the fowl tick Argas persicus (Acari: Argasidae)

Five concentrations of purified extract of Myrrh from Commiphora molmol tree were prepared to study its effects on the fowl tick Argas persicus under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that Myrrh had dependant dose toxic effect on the adult female of A. persicus. Toxicity increased gradually daily post treatment. The LC50 was 1.28%, 0.88%, 0.84%, 0.50% and 0.42% at Ist, 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 12th days respectively. At 12th day, the recorded mortality rates were 63, 67, 76, 87 and 94% for concentrations, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10%, respectively against 5% in control. Histopathological and Transmission election microscope (TEM) examinations showed the lysing of epithelial gut cells in treated groups. The lysed epithelial gut cells showed irregularly distributed nucleus, commonly at low concentrations and rarely in high concentrations of Myrrh. The lysed epithelial gut cells, without nucleus or with aggregated one beside the basal lamina, were common at high concentrations and rare in low concentrations of Myrrh. Consequently, Myrrh can rapidly penetrate the cuticle to body cavity, destroy the epithelial gut cells and finally cause the death of ticks.

Biochemical changes of Culex pipiens larvae treated with oil and oleo-resin extracts of Myrrh Commiphora molmol

The mosquitocidal plant extracts of the Myrrh, Commiphora molmol namely; oil and oleo-resin, were proved to demonstrate larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens larvae. Oleo-resin was found to induce significant higher toxic action than oil. Solvent (cremophore EL) did not perform any toxic activity. The Impact of both oleo-resin and oil extracts on the protein profile of the treated larvae was evaluated in order to explain their mode of action. Electrophoretic analysis of total proteins, lipoproteins and glycoproteins revealed inhibitory action of the used plant extracts on the protein contents. Larvicidal activity of the oleo-resin and oil was explained as to be related to the loss of certain enzymes inhibited by these extracts which affect the metabolic processes.

Larvicidal activity of Commiphora molmol against Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius larvae

Myrrh (oleo-gum-resin) obtained from the stem of Commiphora molmol proved to have insecticidal activity against mosquito larvae. The oil extract of Myrrh possesses median lethal activity against 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar larvae of Culex pipiens at 0.016 x 10(2), 0.17 x 10(2) & 1.6 x 10(2) g/l respectively. While LC50 against 3rd instar larvae of Aedes caspius was 0.2 x 10(2) g/l. The oleo-resin extract showed toxicity against 2nd, 3rd, 4th instar larvae of C. pipiens recording the LC50 values of 0.06 x 10(2), 0.09 x 10(2) & 0.5 x 10(2) g/l respectively. While LC50 against 3rd instar larvae of A. caspius was 0.08 x 10(2) g/l. This plant extract has no marked toxic effect against the water bug Sphaerodema urinator (Dufor) and the water beetle Hydaticus leander (Rossi). Histological examinations of Myrrh treated mosquito larvae showed great pathological effect on their fat, muscles, gut and nervous tissues.

Risk of hepatitis "E" virus infection among some schistosomiasis patients in Egypt

This study was carried out to demonstrate hepatitis "E" virus antibodies (IgG) among individuals living in different rural areas. The study included 200 individuals. One hundred were suffering from S. mansoni as confirmed by stool egg count, rectal snip, abdominal ultrasound and liver biopsy. The second hundred (Group II) were parasite-free individuals serving as normal control. The main symptoms of group I were dyspepsia, fatigue, dysentery, bleeding per rectum and hepatomegaly. There was no significant difference in the transaminase levels (SGPT and SGOT) between both groups. The prevalence of HEV-ab (ab (IgM) among group I was 31% and group II, 14% with a highly significant increase in group I. There was no correlation between the number of egg count in stools and HEV infectivity. Thus, the prevalence of HEV was higher in the rural areas and in schistosomiasis patients in particular, due to low sociohygienic conditions under which the patients are living. Also schistosomiasis may play a role in virus infection by altering the immune system.

Study of some aspects of cell mediated immune response in bilharzial children on a field level

S. mansoni patients with active intestinal mansoniasis with or without hepatosplenomegaly were divided into 3 groups. The first was treated by praziquantel therapeutic course, second by an initial full dose of praziquantel to be followed by suppressive doses, and third received initial loading praziquantel dose and followed by the suppressive dose at monthly intervals. School children infected with S. haematobium were divided into 5 groups: The first received oral metrifonate therapeutic course followed by its prophylactic course monthly, second with full dose of oral praziquantel, third with metrifonate orally every month, fourth half dose of praziquantel orally every month, fifth received oral metrifonate curative course every 2 weeks for 3 doses every 6 months, repetition of such therapy was carried out 6 monthly for non-cured cases. Non-bilharzial children were studied and divided into six groups. The first was given an oral monthly praziquantel prophylactic dose. The second received the same prophylactic praziquantel doses given at 3-monthly intervals. The third was given an oral placebo in the form of vitamin B complex tablets at 3-monthly intervals. The fourth received oral monthly therapeutic dose of metrifonate. The fifth was given oral monthly prophylactic doses of praziquantel. The sixth was given oral placebo in the form of 2 vitamin B-complex tablets monthly. For every individual whole blood leucocyte % phagocytosis and tuberculin test were performed. In cases infected with S. mansoni the mean percent phagocytosis was only markedly reduced in hepatosplenic cases of groups P-1, P-2 and P-3 during praziquantel treatment. Tuberculin reactivity was not changed following such therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Studies on liver profile after prolonged praziquantel courses for schistosomiasis mansoni in Egyptian children on a field level

The effect of prolonged praziquantel courses on the clinical, sonographic and functional aspects of the liver in bilharzial and nonbilharzial school-children on village level was investigated in this study. Bilharzial--positive school--children were divided into three groups according to Praziquantel regimes. Each case received an initial dose of 40 mg/Kg. PZQ. Subsequently the first group received 6-monthly full dose, the second group received 3-monthly half doses and the third group received monthly half doses. Another 3 groups of bilharzial negative children were used as a control receiving oral vitamin B complex as placebo. Clinico-parasitological and sonographic examinations as well as liver function tests were done before and after drug administration. It was concluded according to our results that healing of hepatic pathology was slower than parasitological cure. Moreover complete reversibility of hepatic size required frequent praziquantel doses (from 3 to 7). Hepatic healing is dose related. Less doses are required for parasitological cure.

Side effects of praziquantel in bilharzial children on a field level

For studying the side effects of praziquantel in children with active intestinal bilharziasis 6 groups of children were followed: group P-1 (active intestinal bilharziasis +/- hepatosplenomegaly). They were treated with praziquantel (40 mg/Kg b.w. orally every 6 months). group P-2 (children with active mansoniasis +/- hepatosplenomegaly. They were treated with an initial full dose of praziquantel (40 mg/kg) to be followed by suppressive dose (20 mg/kg) at 3-months intervals, group P-3 (school children with active mansoniasis +/- hepatosplenomegaly). Initial loading praziquantel dose was followed by suppressive dose at monthly intervals, group N-1 (non-bilharzial children given an oral monthly praziquantel prophylactic dose of 20 mg/kg, group N-2 (non-bilharzial children given an oral 3-monthly praziquantel prophylactic dose of 20 mg/kg), group N-3 (non-bilharzial school children given an oral placebo in the form of vitamin B complex tablets at 3-monthly intervals. Surveillance for praziquantel adverse reactions for all these groups was done. It revealed that the adverse reactions were nausea, vomiting, abdominal colic, diarrhea, dizziness, headache and pyrexia. These were noticed more after full therapeutic praziquantel dose than half doses (subcurative or prophylactic) & among bilharzial children than non-bilharzial cases. As regards school children with active urinary hematobiasis 3 groups were followed: Group 1 (school children with active urinary hematobiasis treated with praziquantel orally 40 mg/kg b.w. every 6 months). Group 2 (non-bilharzial school children given oral monthly prophylactic dose of 20 mg/kg b.w. praziquantel). Group 3 (non-bilharzial school children given oral placebo in the form of two vitamin B-complex tablets monthly).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alpha-1 antitrypsin and electrolytes in some cases of diarrhoea

Fifty patients suffering from diarrhea were subjected together with a control group of 20 normal subjects to full clinical examination, stool analysis for parasites and bacteriological examination to identify pathogenic bacteria. Fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin, fecal Na+ and K+ and serum albumin were also estimated. The results showed a significant increase in the fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin and fecal electrolytes in all cases of diarrhea except the simple intestinal bilharzial cases, in which the fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin showed an inverse proportionality with fecal electrolytes. The serum albumin showed a negative correlation with fecal alpha-1 antitrypsin, however, serum albumin cannot be taken as a parameter for protein loosing enteropathy.