Therapeutic Potential of Commiphora molmol Extract Loaded on Chitosan Nanofibers against Experimental Cryptosporidiosis

ABSTRACT Background: Cryptosporidium is a life-threatening intestinal pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Currently, there is no entirely successful drug against cryptosporidiosis. Several reports utilizing nanotechnology combined with herbal medicine were published to evaluate its efficacy in treatment of intestinal pathogens. Objectives: To evaluate the anti-cryptosporidial efficacy of Commiphora molmol extract and its conjugation with chitosan nanofibers (CsNFs) for treatment of cryptosporidiosis in mice. Material and Methods: Sixty five male albino mice were infected orally with 1×104 Cryptosporidium oocysts. They were grouped and treated with nanazoxid (NTZ) (100 mg/kg), C. molmol extract (500 mg/kg), and C. molmol loaded chitosan nanofibers (Cm-CsNFs) at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. The scarification of mice was done after 5 and 10 days of treatments. Assessment of the treatments' efficacy was achieved through the study of the parasitological and pathological investigations. Results: C. molmol extract and Cm-CsNFs (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the mean number of intestinal oocysts. All the treatment regimens significantly (P<0.05) diminished the mean number of trophozoites relative to the infected non-treated group. Apparent pathological alterations in intestinal tissues were consistent with cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium-induced pathological alterations were improved remarkably in Cm-CsNFs (100 mg/kg) group. Conclusion: Our study highlights the efficacy of C. molmol as an extract or conjugated with CsNFs in declining cryptosporidiosis and attenuating Cryptosporidium-induced intestinal injury.