# Therapeutic Effect of Allium sativum (Garlic) Extract Using Nanotechnology on Murine Chronic Toxoplasmosis

**Authors:** Doaa Abdulfttah Ahmad Amer, Fatma Mohamad El-Lessy, Ashraf M. Barakat, Rehab Mohamed El Shahat, Sabry A. Sadek, Reda M. Abdelhameed, Mona Mohammed Elderbawy

PMC · DOI: 10.1007/s11686-025-01142-8 · Acta Parasitologica · 2025-11-14

## TL;DR

This study shows that garlic extract loaded onto nanomaterials can effectively treat chronic toxoplasmosis in mice with fewer side effects.

## Contribution

The novel use of garlic extract combined with Fe-MOFs for treating chronic toxoplasmosis is demonstrated for the first time.

## Key findings

- Garlic extract@Fe-MOFs reduced brain cysts by 59.45% in mice.
- Histopathological improvements were observed in treated groups.
- Garlic@Fe-MOFs showed reduced toxicity compared to other treatments.

## Abstract

Current treatments for toxoplasmosis are often limited. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Allium sativum (garlic) extract loaded onto Fe-MOFs in a murine model of chronic toxoplasmosis.

Sixty-five mice were assigned to seven groups. All groups, except the healthy control (GI), were infected with the Toxoplasma gondii ME49 strain. Treatments included Fe-MOFs (GIII), spiramycin (GIV), spiramycin@Fe-MOFs (GV), garlic extract (GVI), and garlic extract@Fe-MOFs (GVII). In vitro drug toxicity for garlic, Fe-MOFs, and garlic extract@Fe-MOFs were detected. Brain cysts counted, histopathological changes in various organs, and parasite DNA load (P29 gene) were assessed post-treatment using real-time PCR.

Spiramycin@Fe-MOFs (GV) and garlic extract @Fe-MOFs (GVII) groups showed a significant reduction in brain cyst burden (39.63% and 59.45%, respectively), along with marked improvement in histopathological changes compared to the other treated infected groups.

These findings support garlic@Fe-MOFs as a potential treatment for toxoplasmosis, demonstrating enhanced efficacy, reduced toxicity, and improved histopathological outcomes.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** spiramycin (PubChem CID 5266)
- **Diseases:** toxoplasmosis (MONDO:0005989)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (taxon 10090), Toxoplasma gondii (taxon 5811)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** toxicity (MESH:D064420), Brain cysts (MESH:D003560), infected (MESH:D007239), Chronic Toxoplasmosis (MESH:D014123)
- **Chemicals:** spiramycin (MESH:D015572), GIV (-), Fe (MESH:D007501), MOFs (MESH:C040750)
- **Species:** Toxoplasma gondii (species) [taxon 5811], Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Allium sativum (garlic, species) [taxon 4682]

## Full text

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## Figures

8 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12618351/full.md

## References

2 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12618351/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12618351