Effect Of Experimental Toxoplasmosis Infection On The Immune Response And Evaluation Of The Potential Therapeutic Effect Of Artemisia Herba-Alba Oil
Author(s): Bekacem Rayenne
Conference: Dubai One Health Conference
Publication Date: 23 June, 2023
Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, Immune Response, Artemisia Herba-Alba Oil, Therapeutic Effect
Abstract
Objective: The Objective Of This Study Was To Analyze The Effect Of Experimental Infection By Toxoplasmosis On The Immune Response And To Evaluate The Potential Therapeutic Effect Of Artemisia Herba-Alba Oil Material And Methods: Fifty Male Swiss Albino Mice Aged 3 To 4 Weeks, Weighing Between 22±25 G Were Equally Divided Into Five Groups: Normal Control (I), Infected Control (II), Infected Treated With Artemisia Herba-Alba Oil (III), Infected Treated With Pyrimethamine + Clindamycin (IV), And Uninfected Treated With Artemisia Herba-Alba Oil (V). The Cysts Were Collected From The Brains Of Mice Infected With The Prugniaud Cystogenic Strain Of Toxoplasma. The Cysts Were Then Isolated And Washed Three Times With Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) PH 7.4. Subsequently, The Cysts Were Suspended In PBS, PH 7.4, To Create An Infective Solution. For Intraperitoneal Infection Of Mice, The Mice Were Injected With A Dose Of 15 Cysts/Mouse In 0.1 Ml Of PBS, PH 7.4. Prior To Injection, The Cysts Were Thoroughly Mixed In The PBS Solution To Ensure Uniform Distribution. The Mice In Groups III And V Were Administered The Artemisia Herba-Alba Oil At A Concentration Of 5 Ml/Kg Body Weight/Day, While Group IV Received Treatment With Pyrimethamine + Clindamycin In Doses Of 25 Mg/Kg And 12.5 Mg/Kg, Respectively. Groups I And II Received Appropriate Control Treatments. The Immune Response Was Assessed By Measuring The Concentrations Of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines (IFN-Γ, TNF-Α, IL-12) In Mouse Serum Using ELISA. The Activation Of CD4+ And CD8+ T Lymphocytes Was Analyzed By Flow Cytometry, Quantifying The Percentages Of Cells Positive For IFN-Γ. Granuloma Formation Was Evaluated By Histological Examination Of Infected Tissues. The Levels Of IL-10, An Immune Regulatory Cytokine, Were Measured In The Serum Of Infected Mice. Results: The Mice In Group III, Treated With Artemisia Herba-Alba Oil At A Concentration Of X Mg/Kg, Showed A Significant Decrease In Parasitic Burden Compared To The Infected Control Group (II). Similarly, Group IV, Treated With Pyrimethamine + Clindamycin At Concentrations Of 25 Mg/Kg And 12.5 Mg/Kg, Respectively, Exhibited A Significant Reduction In Parasitic Burden. Both Groups Showed A Significant Decrease In Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Concentrations (IFN-Γ, TNF-Α, IL-12) Compared To The Infected Control Group. The Activation Of CD4+ And CD8+ T Cells In Groups III And IV Was Significantly Higher Than In The Infected Control. Histological Analysis Revealed A Decrease In Granuloma Formation In The Tissues Of Oil-Treated And Pyrimethamine + Clindamycin-Treated Mice Compared To The Infected Control Group. Furthermore, Both Treatments Led To A Significant Decrease In IL-10 Levels, Indicating A Modulatory Effect On The Immune Response. Conclusion: Our Findings Demonstrate That The Administration Of Artemisia Herba-Alba Oil At A Concentration Of 5 Mg/Kg And Pyrimethamine + Clindamycin Treatment At Concentrations Of 25 Mg/Kg And 12.5 Mg/Kg, Respectively, In The Context Of Experimental Toxoplasmosis Infection In Mice Resulted In A Reduction In Parasitic Burden, Modulation Of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines, Enhanced CD4+ And CD8+ T Cell Activation, And Reduced Granuloma Formation. Like Pyrimethamine + Clindamycin, Artemisia Herba-Alba Oil Showed Potential Therapeutic Effects In The Management Of Toxoplasmosis. Further Investigation Is Warranted To Elucidate The Underlying Mechanisms Of Action And Optimize The Administration Protocols.