Introduction: Trichinellosis, caused by Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis), remains a
prevalent parasitic zoonosis. Developing new drugs targeting and understanding
the immune response against the infection is imperative. Previous research has
inadequately explored the efficacy of crude myrrh extract and myrrh-based
silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against trichinellosis, as well as their impact on
histopathological, and immunological factors.
Methods: This study evaluated the effects of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized
using myrrh, crude myrrh extracts, and albendazole on the intestinal phase
of T. spiralis. It also examined the associated histopathological changes and
alterations in key immunological markers, including Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ),
Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Five groups of
12 mice were allocated as follows: group 1: non-infected, non-treated (negative
control), group 2: infected, non-treated (positive control), group 3: infected andtreated with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (40 μg/mL), group 4: infected and treated with myrrh crude extract (800 mg/kg), and group 5: infected and treated with albendazole (50 mg/kg). Treatment was orally administered starting on the 2nd day post-infection and continued for three successive days. Mice of all groups were euthanized on the 6th day post-infection, and the intestine of each was isolated for parasitological, histopathological, and immunohistochemistry evaluation of MMP-9, as well as assessment of cytokines level (IFN-γ and IL-10 gene expressions) via Real-time PCR technique.
Results: The present study showed a considerable reduction in adult worm count among the treated groups. The mortality rates of adult worms were 88.64% in the silver nanoparticles treated group, 85.17% in the myrrh crude extract group, and 94.07% in the albendazole-treated group. Histopathological examination revealed prominent alterations in the intestine of the infected non-treated mice, which were markedly restored by treatment. Immunohistochemical examination accompanied by significant reduction in MMP-9 expression in the infected mice treated with AgNPs compared to the infected non-treated group, reflecting the role of AgNPs in downgrading the inflammatory reaction in the intestine of infected mice.
Conclusion: Collectively, this study demonstrates the novel antiparasitic potential of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized with myrrh against T. spiralis in infected mice. The treatment was associated with moderate rise in IFN-γ gene expression and IL-10 expression, highlighting its therapeutic efficacy against T. spiralis.