In-Vivo Comparison of the Efficacy of Nigella Sativa, Thymoquinone and Capsaicin Against Toxoplasma Gondii With Pyrimethamine-Sulfadiazine

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is estimated to infect a third of the world’s population although the majority of the infections are largely asymptomatic. The combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine is considered the treatment of choice. These drugs cannot eliminate dormant tissue cysts. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa oil, thymoquinone and capsaicin. The study was carried out as two separate experiments. Balb/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with 105 and 103 T. gondii. After 24 hours, treatment was started with different doses of Nigella sativa oil, thymoquinone and capsaicin for 10 days. The effects of these components were evaluated compared to the combination of PYR-SDZ. Mortality and tachyzoite amounts of the mice were calculated for 30 days. In both experiments, the mice in the PYR-SDZ group lived to the fullest. Then the mice in the capsaicin group lived the longest. Since early losses occurred in both experimental groups, tachyzoite count was not performed in groups other than PYR-SDZ. Tachyzoites were not observed in the PYR-SDZ groups after day 10. It was determined that after the PYR-SDZ treatment of toxoplasmosis, capsaicin displayed the highest probability of survival. In conclusion, the combined use of capsaicin and PYR-SDZ can increase life expectancy by reducing the side effects of the drug. © 2023, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi. All rights reserved.