title: Effects of Nigella sativa and albendazole alone and in combination in Toxocara canis infected mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nigella sativa extract has been used in the Middle East as a traditional medicine for several complaints. We aimed to evaluate the biochemical, histopathological and hematologic changes in Toxocara canis-infected mice after treatment with Nigella sativa extract, albendazole or a combination of both.
  
  
  METHODS
  This comparative study was conducted between June and July 2008 at the Itarran University Saniturla Turkey. Sixty healthy adult BALB/c male mice were randomly divided into six groups (D0-D5). Mice in groups D1-D5 received 500 embryonated T. canis eggs via esophageal tube. Groups DO and D1 served as a non-infected sham group and an infected control group, respectively. Groups D2 and D3 received 100 and 200 mg/kg N. sativa extract (NSE), respectively. Group D4 received 100 mg/kg albendazole. Group D5 received the combination dose (100+100 mg/kg NSE+albendazole).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with N. sativa of both doses or the combination dose of N. sativa and albendazole reduced the degree of inflammation and necrosis, lead to a reduction in the percentage of eosinophils and decreased the elevated liver enzyme levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that N. sativa has a potent effect in protection against organ damage induced by T. canis infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Art and Science, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Daut
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.forename: Gulten
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Senocak
authors.forename: Guzin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borazan
authors.forename: Mehtap
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Altas
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozgonul
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sogut
authors.forename: Muhammet Emin
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Güldür
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D031881:Nigella sativa; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D017166:Toxocara canis; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015766:Albendazole