Background: Today, the present protoscolicidals used to minimize the serious risks during hydatid cyst surgery are not completely safe and have various adverse side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and apoptotic activity of Ferula macrecolea essential oil (FMEO) as well as its in vitro and ex vivo protoscolicidal effects against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of FMEO. Protoscoleces of hydatid cysts were collected from liver fertile hydatid cysts of infected sheep and were then treated with various concentrations of the essential oil (75, 150, and 300 µL/mL) for 5–60 min in vitro and ex vivo. Then, by using the eosin exclusion test, the viability of the protoscoleces was studied. The caspase-3-like activity of the FMEO-treated protoscoleces was also evaluated through the colorimetric protease assay Sigma Kit based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: According to GC/MS, the main constituents of the essential oil were terpinolene (77.72%), n-nonanal (4.47%), and linalool (4.35%), respectively. In vitro, the maximum protoscolicidal activity of FMEO was observed at the concentrations of 150 and 300 µL/mL, such that 100% of the protoscoleces were killed after 30 and 20 min of exposure, respectively. Based on the obtained findings, the results demonstrate that FMEO required a longer time to kill protoscoleces ex vivo; after 12 min of exposure to FMEO, only 13.4% of the protoscoleces remained alive. After 48 h of the treatment of protoscoleces, FMEO, in a dose-dependent manner and at doses of 75, 150, and 300 µL/mL, induced the activation of the caspase enzyme by 24.3, 35.3, and 48.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the potent protoscolicidal effects of FMEO in vitro and ex vivo; however, further studies are required to assess the safety and the efficiency of FMEO as a promising scolicidal agent in a preclinical model and clinical setting.

Background: Myrtus communis (M. communis) is a wild aromatic plant used for traditional herbal medicine that can be demonstrated in insecticidal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity of its essential oils (MCEO). Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effects of M. communis essential oil (MCEO) against chronic toxoplasmosis induced by the Tehran strain of Toxoplasma gondii in mice. Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of MCEO. Mice were then orally administrated with MCEO at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day and also atovaquone 100 mg/kg for 21 days. On the 15th day, the mice were infected with the intraperitoneal inoculation of 20–25 tissue cysts from the Tehran strain of T. gondii. The mean numbers of brain tissue cysts and the mRNA levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ in mice of each tested group were measured. Results: By GC/MS, the major constituents were α-pinene (24.7%), 1,8-cineole (19.6%), and linalool (12.6%), respectively. The results demonstrated that the mean number of T. gondii tissue cysts in experimental groups Ex1 (p < 0.05), Ex2 (p < 0.001) and Ex3 (p < 0.001) was meaningfully reduced in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group (C2). The mean diameter of tissue cyst was significantly reduced in mice of the experimental groups Ex2 (p < 0.01) and Ex3 (p < 0.001). The results demonstrated that although the mRNA levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 were elevated in all mice of experimental groups, a significant increase (p < 0.001) was observed in tested groups of Ex2 and Ex3 when compared with control groups. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated the potent prophylactic effects of MCEO especially in the doses 200 and 300 mg/kg in mice infected with T. gondii. Although the exceptional anti-Toxoplasma effects of MCEO and other possessions, such as improved innate immunity and low toxicity are positive topics, there is, however, a need for more proof from investigations in this field.

Toxoplasmosis is a contagiousserious disease that spreads all over the world in human and animals, its caused by Toxoplasma gondiiparasite, it has the ability to infect various tissues in body patients,

This study was conducted to determine the effect of factors as synthetic contraceptives used by women on the incidence of trichomoniasis, (150) vaginal swap samples were collected from women who complained of vaginal infections only (no miscarriage or pregnancy) who visit : the Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Al-Muthana governorate and private clinics during the period from January 2018 to June 2018, the parasite was diagnosed by using a wet smear and recorded 39/150 (26%) positive infection, after that the samples conducted to molecular method PCR on the basis of 18SrRNA gene to reach more accurate results and showed to rate infection (32%) 48/150, then collect information from each patient about the use of contraceptives:(did not use any method, contraceptives pills, condom, IUCD) and has been recorded infection rates (34.80%), (30.10%), (21.11%), and (6.40%) respectively, these results indicate the importance of the use of contraceptives for the incidence of a parasite as risk factors, the statically analysis for this results showed there were significant differences between rate of infection and type of contraceptives under probability level (p≤0.05).

The rate of allergy is increasing particularly among infants due to several factors reaching up to 30%. Several materials components have been implicated in the development and excessive activation of the immune system, acting as irritants and allergic agents. In several studies, in Mediterranean inhabitants with a specific diet, the prevalence of allergies in children was low, whereas dietary supplements in the Western and Mediterranean countries had a different role in the regulation of immune responses and in the reduction of allergic reactions. Probiotics have been associated with reduction of allergic reactions mostly by positive effect on T helper cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), B cells and dendritic cells. Furthermore, probiotics existing in the human intestine can modulate the immune response and allergic reactions through downregulation of Th2-related responses (IgE, IL-4 and IL-5). They mostly exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties by modulation of immune system components via hindering of various signaling pathways such as the NF-κB pathway, probably associated with changes in mitogen-activated protein kinases and pattern recognition receptors pathways. These microorganisms have also potential to inhibit the bacterial lipopolysaccharide attachment to the CD14 receptor, hence reducing the overall activation of NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines production. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species act through increase in proinflammatory (Th1) cytokines (INF-γ, IL-12, IL-13, TNF-α and also IL-4 and IL-10), dendritic cells, CD4+FoxP3+ T cells, GATA-3 and intestinal barrier maturation, whereas decrease the Th2-mediated cytokines, IgA, IgE, IgG1, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6, IL-13, airway reactivity, pulmonary eosinophilia. Furthermore, Clostridium butyricum could act by improvement of anaphylaxis symptoms and increase of sIgA and CD4+ CD25+FoxP3Treg cells. In this review, we assessed the recent evidence that confirms the role of probiotics compounds as an important factor in the safety of homeostasis and the development of allergic reactions through a complex set of metabolites and the immune cells. The employment and application of probiotics combined with immunotherapy approaches can be possibly effective in reducing allergic reactions and related therapeutic costs.