Preliminary study of therapeutic efficacy of a new fasciolicidal drug derived from Commiphora molmol (myrrh).
Myrrh (from the stem of the Commiphora molmol tree) is an oleo gum resin that may prove efficacious for the treatment of fascioliasis. We studied 7 patients who were passing Fasciola eggs in their stools and treated them with myrrh. The drug (a formulation consisting of 8 parts of resin and 3.5 parts of volatile oils, all extracted from myrrh) was given in a dose of 12 mg/kg per day for 6 consecutive days in the morning on an empty stomach. Patients were followed for 3 months. The therapy proved to be effective, with pronounced improvement of the general condition and amelioration of all symptoms and signs. A dramatic drop in the egg count was detected at the end of treatment. Eggs were no longer detectable in the feces 3 weeks after treatment and after a follow-up period of 3 months. High eosinophilic counts, elevated liver enzymes, and Fasciola antibody titers returned to nearly normal. No signs of toxicity or adverse effects were observed. We conclude that the formulation of myrrh is safe, well tolerated, and effective for treating fascioliasis.
Massoud
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A
Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
El Sisi
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S
Salama
O
O
Massoud
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A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005209:Fasciola / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013729:Terpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013729:Terpenes; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; C014119:myrrh oil