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. Nowadays, a current and fully effective treatment procedure has not yet been developed against such a common infection. In this study, the effect of the combination of albendazole and Nigella sativa oil for the treatment of VLM in humans was investi-gated. Five experimental groups were formed and totally 125, 6-8 weeks old Swiss albi-no were used. All mice, except the negative control group, were infected with 750 T. canis eggs with infective larvae. 100 mg/kg albendazole and 0.15 ml N. sativa oil were applied separately and together by orally to the all treatment group mice. The efficacy of the treatment was investigated parasitologically, histo-pathologically and hematological-ly on post-infection 7th, 14th, 28th, 45th and 60th days with necropsies. According to mi-grated larvae count, the highest treatment efficacy was obtained in group of combina-tion. The treatment efficacy level was 72.46%; 48.81%; 36.25% in groups of combina-tion, albendazole and N. sativa oil, respectively. It was observed that the most severe pathological changes were developed in group of albendazole, and the inflammatory reactions and pathological changes in groups of combination and N.sativa oil were found milder. Nigella sativa oil has been thought to enhance the larvacidal effect of al-bendazole, which is enhanced by anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects and by increasing tissue defense and immunity.