TREATMENT POTENTIAL OF ALOE VERA GEL IN GAIRDIA INTESTINALIS INFECTED ALBINO RATS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

2 Faculty of Biotechnology, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), 6 October, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

Aloe vera has been used as a traditional medicine in many cultures, especially Egypt, and known for its therapeutical effects with dermatitis, ulcer and burns. It has many beneficial properties as it is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. G. intestinalis is a waterborne parasite that causes human giardiasis. In Egypt, outbreaks commonly occur in areas where water treatment is insufficient leading to infection rates of 50% of the total population. The current treatment against G. intestinalis involves metronidazole, known as flagyl, which can induce many side effects as headache, vertigo, nausea, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Previous studies showed that high doses of metronidazole, over long periods, have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects in experimental animals. The study aims to evaluate the effect of Aloe vera in treatment of G. intestinalis in male albino rats in comparison to metronidazole. Our results showed that Aloe vera cleared the infection and reduced inflammatory cytokines in treated groups. Thus it can be used instead of metronidazole in treatment of G. intestinalis due to its anti-inflammatory properties and to avoid the undesired side effect of the metronidazole.

Keywords

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology
Volume 50, Issue 1
April 2020
Pages 160-166

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