Trichinellosis is a serious disease with no satisfactory treatment. We aimed to assess the effect of myrrh (
Commiphora molmol
) and, for the first time, thyme (
Thymus vulgaris
L.) against enteral and encysted (parenteral) phases of
Trichinella spiralis
in mice compared with albendazole, and detect their effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression.
Oral administration of 500 mg/kg of myrrh and thyme led to adult reduction (90.9%, 79.4%), while 1,000 mg/kg led to
larvae reduction (79.6%, 71.3%), respectively. Administration of 50 mg/kg of albendazole resulted in adult and larvae
reduction (94.2%, 90.9%). Positive immunostaining of inflammatory cells infiltrating intestinal mucosa and submucosa
of all treated groups was detected. Myrrh-treated mice showed the highest iNOS expression followed by albendazole,
then thyme. On the other hand, both myrrh and thyme-treated groups showed stronger iNOS expression of inflammatory
cells infiltrating and surrounding encapsulated
T. spiralis larvae than albendazole treated group. In conclusion, myrrh
and thyme extracts are highly effective against both phases of
T. spiralis and showed strong iNOS expressions, especially
myrrh which could be a promising alternative drug. This experiment provides a basis for further exploration of this plant
by isolation and retesting the active principles of both extracts against different stages of
T. spiralis.
