THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM AND CURCUMA LONGA COMBINATION AGAINST CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED MURINE MODEL

Infection by Cryptosporidium species causing cryptosporidiosis is considered a life-threateningcondition in immunosuppressed patients, with unfortunately limited treatment options. Thisstudy evaluated the efficacy of Artemisia absinthium (AA) and Curcuma longa (CL) combinationtherapy unloaded and loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) and conjugated with conventionalnitazo- xanide (NTZ) in treating cryptosporidiosis in immunosuppressed mice. Thestudy design included fifty-six immunosuppressed mice classified into three main groups, dividedinto subgroups; eight mice each: GIA: non-infected non-treated, GIB: infected non-treated,GII: infected and treated with: CS NPs conventional free NTZ (GIIIA), AA and CL loaded onCs NPs (GIIIB), conjugated AA and CL with NTZ loaded on Cs NPs (GIIIC), and AA and CLfree combination (GIIID). Treatment efficacy was evaluated via parasitological examination,histopathological parameters, and the determination of oxidative stress markers. The most significantresults were in the immun- osuppressed mice received unloaded unconjugated AA andCL free combination (GIIID) with a highly significant reduction (88%) in C. parvum oocystsshedding. Also, a remarked histo-patholo- gical improvement was revealed in the intestinal tissuesections nearly back to normal architecture and to lesser extent in extra-intestinal tissue sectionsin the same treated group. Meanwhile, oxidative stress markers (GSH & MDA) levelsshowed a high significant improvement (P< 0.001) in GIIID versus other treated ones.