Effect of Alhagi maurorum Hydroalcoholic Extract on Preventing Secondary Hydatid Cysts in BALB/c Mice

Surgery is the main treatment for hydatid cyst disease, during which the spillage of live protoscoleces is a major cause of hydatidosis recurrence. Scolicidal agents are used to prevent this problem. However, they may have some unpleasant side effects.

This study assessed the scolicidal effects of Alhagi maurorum hydroalcoholic extract on developing secondary cysts in BALB/c mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus parasites.

BALB/c mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with viable protoscoleces. One month after the infection, the mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (7 per group). Group 1 (control group) was orally administered PBS daily. Group 2 was orally administered albendazole daily (150 mg/kg). Group 3 was orally administered Alhagi maurorum hydroalcoholic extract daily (500 mg/kg). Group 4 was orally administered Alhagi maurorum hydroalcoholic extract daily (250 mg/kg). After 6 weeks of treatment, the weight (g), size (mm), number, and fertility of hydatid cysts were measured after the euthanasia and necropsy of all mice.

The weight (g), size (mm), and the number of cysts was significantly lower in the groups receiving 500 mg/kg Alhagi maurorum hydroalcoholic extract, 250 mg/kg Alhagi maurorum hydroalcoholic extract, and 150 mg/kg albendazole than in the control group (P < 0.05). The fertility percentage of hydatid cysts did not show a significant difference between the four groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in the parasitological parameters between the three groups: Alhagi maurorum hydroalcoholic extract 500 mg/kg, Alhagi maurorum hydroalcoholic extract 250 mg/kg, and albendazole 150 mg/kg (P > 0.05).

The findings demonstrated the effect of Alhagi maurorum hydroalcoholic extract against protoscoleces in BALB/c mice. However, cellular and molecular research should be carried out to gain a deeper understanding of the various effects of this extract on hydatid cysts.