The therapeutic efficacy of curcumin nanoemulsion versus Spiramycin in Toxoplasma gondii (ME49 strain) chronically infected mice

Background: Previously, we showed that curcumin (CUR) nanoemulsion exhibited a promising prophylactic effect on acute toxoplasmosis, and decreased parasite burden. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the peritoneal exudates showed deformed tachyzoites in both prophylactic and treated subgroups. Objective: The present study is designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CUR nanoemulsion compared to that of Spiramycin on T. gondii type II, ME49 strain causing chronic toxoplasmosis in experimentally infected mice. Material and Methods: This case-control experimental study included 30 Swiss albino mice, divided into three equal groups. All mice were infected with avirulent ME49 strain to induce chronic toxoplasmosis. The study included group I (infected non-treated), II (infected treated with CUR nanoemulsion), and III (infected and treated with Spiramycin). The assessment parameters included estimation of the mortality rate, and parasite burden (cyst number and size) in livers and spleens impression smears, and in brains homogenates. Results: The mortality rate was 40% in the infected non-treated group with no mortality in all treated mice. There was a significant decrease of cyst number and size in livers, spleens, and brains of both treated groups as compared to the infected non-treated mice. Conclusion: It was concluded that CUR nanoemulsion had a promising therapeutic effect on chronic toxoplasmosis.