Assessment of the therapeutic impact of <i>Allium sativum</i> against the intestinal and intramuscular stages of murine trichinellosis

Trichinellosis is a global foodborne zoonotic disease. Numerous drugs used in its treatment exhibit inadequate absorption and diminished efficacy against encysted larvae in muscle tissue. Therefore, there is a need for innovative therapeutic agents to treat trichinellosis. <i>Allium sativum (A. sativum)</i>, commonly known as garlic, is a bulbous plant that has been historically utilized in the treatment of various ailments. Currently, there is a paucity of data regarding the in vivo efficacy of <i>A. sativum</i> against trichinellosis. This study assessed the antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects of <i>A. sativum</i> in murine models, independently or in conjunction with albendazole (ABZ), against the intestinal and muscular stages of trichinellosis. Fifty mice were equally categorized into five groups: negative control, positive control, ABZ, <i>A. sativum</i>, and a combination of ABZ and <i>A. sativum.</i> The effectiveness of the examined drugs was assessed through parasitological, biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical methodologies. <i>A. sativum</i> resulted in a significant reduction of adult counts by 39.7% and larval counts by 54.4%. The inflammatory cellular infiltrate in the intestine and muscle was significantly reduced. In mice treated with <i>A. sativum</i>, serum levels of IFN-γ exhibited a significant increase, accompanied by a rise in Bcl-2 expression and a notable decrease in COX-2 expression. In conclusion, <i>A. sativum</i> demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for treating experimental trichinellosis, particularly during the muscle phase of the disease. It may serve as a safe promising therapy for trichinellosis.