In vivo nematicidal potential of camel milk on Heligmosomoides polygyrus gastro-intestinal nematode of rodents

Alimi, D., Abidi, A., Sebai, E., Rekik, M., Maizels, R.M. , Dhibi, M. and Akkari, H. (2018) In vivo nematicidal potential of camel milk on Heligmosomoides polygyrus gastro-intestinal nematode of rodents. Helminthologia, 55(2), pp. 112-118. (doi: 10.2478/helm-2018-0001)

Abstract

Following our previous fi ndings on the in vitro anthelmintic effect of camel milk on Haemonchus contortus, the current study aimed at investigating its in vivo effect. Investigations were carried out using mice infected with Heligmosomoides polygyrus which is a parasite commonly used to test the effi cacy of anthelmintics. Thirty six Swiss white mice of both sexes aged 5 – 6 weeks old, and weighing between 20 and 25 g were orally infected with 0.5 ml dose of 100, 1-week-old H. polygyrus infective larvae (L3 ). After the pre-patent period, infected animals were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 animals each. The nematicidal effi cacy of camel milk was monitored through faecal egg count reduction (FECR) and total worm count reduction (TWCR). Four doses (8.25; 16.5; 33.0; 66.0 ml/kg body weight (bw)) for fresh camel milk and 22 mg/kg bw for albendazole were studied using a bioassay. Albendazole and 4 % dimethylsulfoxide were included in the protocol as reference drug and placebo, respectively. For all tested doses except 8.25 ml/kg bw, camel milk was effective in vivo against H. polygyrus reducing both faecal egg count and worm count (p < 0.05). The dose 66 ml/kg bw showed the highest nematicidal activity causing a 76.75 % FECR and a 69.62 % TWCR 7 day after initiating the treatment. These results support the possible use of camel milk in the control of gastro-intestinal helminthiasis.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Maizels, Professor Rick
• Authors: Alimi, D., Abidi, A., Sebai, E., Rekik, M., Maizels, R.M., Dhibi, M., and Akkari, H.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Helminthologia
• Publisher: De Gruyter
• ISSN: 0440-6605
• ISSN (Online): 1336-9083
• Published Online: 26 April 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Košice
• First Published: First published in Helminthologia 55(2): 112-118
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License