THE EFFECT OF MIRAZID (Commiphora molmol) ON MITIGATING BRAIN DAMAGE CAUSED BY Hymenolepiasis nana: A HISTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION
Authors: Hanan T. Hamza and Mervat A.A.EL-Alfy
Received January 29, 2025
Accepted for publication March 18, 2025
Published June 30, 2025. Volume 3:1 Pages 192—208
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Peer reviewer comments 2
Correspondence: maahmed@ub.edu.sa
Abstract
Hymenolepiasis is the most prevalent tapeworm infection worldwide. While praziquantel is the primary treatment for Hymenolepis nana (H. nana), studies on albino rats have demonstrated its hepatotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects. Mirazid (Commiphora molmol) has emerged as a safer and effective alternative for treating hymenolepiasis. This study aimed to investigate the Neuropathological alterations of H. nana infection in immunocompromised hosts. One hundred twenty male Swiss albino mice were divided into immunocompetent and immunocompromised groups by administering a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight (BW) of dexamethasone sodium phosphate subcutaneously for seven days in order to avoid edema or unintended weight gain. At different post-infection time points (the experimental mice were sacrificed on days 15 and 21 post-infection for determination of which drug gives more effect (cure rate)), mice were sacrificed, and their brain tissues were subjected to histochemical and histological analyses. The findings revealed significant histopathological alterations in the brains of immunosuppressed mice. Immunocompetent groups showed improvements in brain histopathology when praziquantel (PZQ)-treated mice were compared to those given Mirazid oleoresin extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg/BW for six days after infection. Unlike what occurred in the immunodeficient group, where there was an increase in histological alterations. Hence, histopathological alterations in the brains of infected mice were progressive and exacerbated under immunosuppressive conditions, correlating with increased cerebral parasite burden. Histochemical staining (e.g., hematoxylin and eosin) revealed significant Neuropathological changes. However, further research is needed to determine whether these alterations are directly caused by the presence of the parasite or by host immune responses to infection and treatment.
KEYWORDS: Hymenolepis nana, immunosuppression, praziquantel, Mirazid (Commiphora molmol)
