Prevalence of intestinal parasites in laboratory rats and mice and effectiveness of aqueous extracts from carob pods, Moringa oleifera, and Artemisia alba on the zoonotic parasite Hymenolepis diminuta infection

AbstractSection Background

Humans may inadvertently acquire infections from the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta, leading to gastrointestinal complications. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of intestinal parasites in laboratory rats and mice. It then evaluated the effectiveness of aqueous extracts of carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua), Moringa oleifera, and Artemisia alba, and/or silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in treating Hymenolepis diminuta infection.

AbstractSection Methods

Fecal samples from 125 lab. rats and mice (72 rats and 53 mice) were analyzed under a microscope. Then in the second part of the study, 120 laboratory male albino mice were used to evaluate the effectiveness of AgNPs alone or in combination with aqueous extracts of carob pods, Moringa oleifera, and Artemisia alba in treating H. diminuta infection.

AbstractSection Results

Parasitological investigations revealed an overall prevalence of intestinal parasites at 37.60%, with rats showing 36.11% and mice at 39.62%. The most common ones found in rats was Hymenolepis diminuta, but in mice, Giardia intestinalis was the most prevalent. The results of the second part showed that the use of these treatments significantly reduced, and in some cases completely stopped, the release of H. diminuta eggs in the feces of mice when they were treated with Artemisia alba aqueous extract loaded AgNPs.

AbstractSection Conclusion

H. diminuta and G. intestinalis are common intestinal parasites in laboratory rats and mice, posing zoonotic risks. Aqueous extracts from carob pods, Moringa oleifera, Artemisia alba, along with AgNPs, exhibit antiparasitic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects against H. diminuta, with minimal effects on the intestines.