Ginger Helps Reduce Acute Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis

Greg Howard
5th September, 2024

Ginger Helps Reduce Acute Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from South Valley University found that ginger extract helped mice infected with T. gondii survive longer
  • Ginger extract significantly reduced liver parasite loads and liver damage indicators in infected mice
  • The treatment also restored normal tissue structure in the liver, brain, and spleen, and directly damaged the parasites
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite that infects about one-third of the global population, posing significant health risks, particularly to immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. Current treatment options for toxoplasmosis, the disease caused by T. gondii, are limited, highlighting the necessity for new, potent, and safe therapeutic alternatives. Researchers from South Valley University have explored the effectiveness of an ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (commonly known as ginger) in treating mice infected with the virulent RH strain of T. gondii[1]. In their study, the researchers used Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify the components of the ethanolic extract of Z. officinale. They divided 80 mice into four groups: one uninfected control group, and three groups infected with T. gondii tachyzoites. Among the infected groups, one was left untreated, while the other two were treated orally with either spiramycin (a known anti-toxoplasmosis drug) or Z. officinale extract at doses of 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for five days, starting from the day of infection. The study's results were promising. Mice treated with Z. officinale extract survived longer, with an extension of survival to the 9th day post-infection (dpi) compared to 7th dpi in untreated mice. The survival rate was higher in the Z. officinale-treated group than in the spiramycin-treated group at various time points. Additionally, liver parasite loads were significantly lower in both Z. officinale and spiramycin-treated mice compared to untreated mice. This reduction in parasite load correlated with decreased levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and nitric oxide (NO), which are indicators of liver damage and inflammation, respectively. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in catalase (CAT) antioxidant enzyme activity, suggesting a protective effect against oxidative stress. Histopathological studies revealed that Z. officinale treatment alleviated infection-induced pathological changes and restored normal tissue morphology in the liver, brain, and spleen. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed marked damage in tachyzoites from the peritoneal fluid of Z. officinale-treated mice, indicating the extract's direct impact on the parasite. These findings align with previous research highlighting the global significance of T. gondii infection. For instance, T. gondii seroprevalence varies widely across different regions, with high prevalence observed in Latin America, parts of Eastern/Central Europe, the Middle East, parts of Southeast Asia, and Africa[2]. The high burden of T. gondii infection, especially among HIV-infected individuals, further underscores the need for effective treatments[3]. The persistent nature of T. gondii, forming intraneuronal cysts that are controlled but not eliminated by the immune system, complicates treatment efforts[4]. The South Valley University study adds to the body of knowledge by demonstrating that Z. officinale extract can significantly reduce parasite burden and reverse histopathological and biochemical alterations in acute murine toxoplasmosis. This suggests that Z. officinale could be a viable natural therapeutic option for toxoplasmosis. Further research is needed to identify the active ingredient in the extract and optimize its use for treating toxoplasmosis in humans.

HerbsMedicineAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Zingiber officinale Ameliorates Acute Toxoplasmosis-Induced Pathology in Mice.

Published 3rd September, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-024-00884-1

Related Studies

2) Toxoplasmosis snapshots: global status of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and implications for pregnancy and congenital toxoplasmosis.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.04.003

3) Prevalence and burden of Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV-infected people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(17)30005-X

4) Persistence of Toxoplasma gondii in the central nervous system: a fine-tuned balance between the parasite, the brain and the immune system.

https://doi.org/10.1111/pim.12173


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