Phytoextracts Used in the Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis: Current State

Phytoextracts are safer, more affordable, and more readily available than conventional medications, making them promising anti-parasitic treatment options. Cryptosporidium species (spp.) and Giardia duodenalis are protozoan parasites responsible for cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, respectively, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals, children, and populations in developing countries. Although treatment options exist, many of them have significant side effects. The current review aims to evaluate the efficacy of phytoextracts tested against Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infections. The current review indicated that the Asteraceae and Rutaceae families were the most extensively investigated sources of phytoextracts. Additionally, Zingiber officinale is the only extract to demonstrate efficacy against both parasites in in vivo studies. Furthermore, Curcuma longa and Morinda royoc showed the highest in vitro efficacy against Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. These results underscore the potential of phytoextracts as alternative therapeutic modalities for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis.