Anti-Cryptosporidium efficacy of Olea europaea and Actinidia deliciosa in a neonatal mouse model

Background: Cryptosporidiosis is caused by an opportunistic protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium. It may be life-threatening in immunocompromised individuals, children and the elderly. To date, no specific therapy has been proven to be effective against Cryptosporidium, which necessitates exploring for new therapeutics. This study evaluated the anti-Cryptosporidium therapeutic potential of two natural medicinal plants − Olea europaea (olive leaf extract) and Actinidia deliciosa (kiwi fruit pulp extract) − in four different groups of experimentally infected neonatal mice. Materials and methods: Anti-Cryptosporidium efficacies of tested extracts were evaluated in four groups of age-matched neonatal Swiss albino mice parasitologically by detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and copro-DNA, using microscopy and nested PCR assay, as well as histopathological examination of their small intestines. Results and conclusion: There was a 100% reduction in Cryptosporidium oocyst excretion in stool and copro-DNA of O. europaea-treated infected mice after 2 weeks of drug administration, whereas there was persistence of oocysts in the stool of A. deliciosa-treated mice until scarification. Obtained results make O. europaea a promising natural therapeutic for cryptosporidiosis, a scientific case that calls for further clinical trials to replicate this model in human individuals.