Efficacy of the Desert Truffle Terfezia claveryi to Cure Trachoma Disease with Special Emphasis on its Antibacterial Bioactivity

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to apply natural drops of truffle (Terfezia claveryi) to patients diagnosed with trachoma for curing the disease and inhibiting the chlamydial bacteria and explore the potential for the development of new treatment modalities compared to currently used antibiotics. Results showed that the truffle juice was very effective against trachoma in the third phase of the disease. There was clear reduction of symptoms in patients with cortisone compounds in the form of drops plus truffle juice drops. There were also complete healing of the conjunctiva and healing of the keratitis. Partial curing was observed when cortisone plus cream of chloramphenicol was added included healing of trachoma without any change of fibrosis in the conjunctiva. In the treatment of trachoma with cortisone drops and cream plus truffle juice, complete of healing was observed but continued swelling in the capillaries with no fibrosis occurred. It was clearly noticed that in all of the treatments, there was a noticeable reduction in fibrosis of the affected site in the eye. It was also concluded that truffle juice seems to prevent fibrosis of trachoma by a large extent. On the other hand, the use of chemical antibiotic or cortisone-based compounds produced several side effects. Though these chemicals reduced the toxins caused by trachoma thereby reducing the enlargement of the cells. We can therefore clearly recommend adding truffle juice to the traditional treatment for trachoma at all stages.