The effect of Nigella sativa oil against Aspiculuris tetraptera and Hymenolepis nana in naturally infected mice

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the antiparasitic effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on Aspiculuris tetraptera (A. tetraptera) and Hymenolepis nana (H.nana) in mice in January 2005.

Methods: Mice were obtained from the animal house facility of the Faculty of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey. The natural infections were determined by the cellophane tape method and the centrifugal flotation method of stool samples. The infected mice with A. tetraptera and H. nana were divided into 4 groups; 2 treatment and 2 control groups. Nigella sativa oil was given at the dose of 250 mu l/kg body weight orally for 2 consecutive days in the 2 treatment groups. All the mice were sacrificed on the seventh day after the last treatment. Gastrointestinal tract of the sacrificed animals was opened and washed with a serum physiologic. The contents were examined under a stereo microscope for counting and identifying of the parasites. The treatment and the control groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U-Test.

Results: Nigella sativa oil reduced both A. tetraptera and its eggs. The difference was significant between Group 1 and Group 3 (p < 0.05). Nigella sativa oil reduced H.nana eggs starting from second day of the treatment until necropsy day during 5 days, but it was not significant between Group 2 and Group 4 (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Antiparasitic effect of NSO is related to its stimulating immune system.