Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of propolis on Fasciola gigantica and Clostridium novyi type B infections in sheep

Trop Biomed. 2021 Jun 1;38(2):102-110. doi: 10.47665/tb.38.2.041.

Abstract

The use of natural products for disease control is a promising approach to solving the problem of drug resistance. The aim of the research reported here was to evaluate the fasciolicidal and anti-Clostridium novyi type B activities of propolis administered orally to sheep infected with Fasciola gigantica and C. novyi type B. Sheep infected with both pathogens were divided into two groups: an infected treated group and an infected non-treated group. The treatment was oral administration of 50 mg propolis extract/kg daily for 15 days. The body weight of the sheep, fecal egg counts of F. gigantica, serum levels of F. gigantica IgG, concentrations of cytokines (IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17), and bacterial counts of C. novyi were evaluated. Following treatment, the sheep had increased body weight and a significant decrease in the egg count, which was reduced by 54.54% at 15 days post treatment. The level of anti- Fasciola IgG increased, whereas levels of IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17 decreased in propolistreated sheep. Treatment of sheep with propolis produced a significant reduction in fecal count of C. novyi, from 8 × 109 to 3 × 103 colony units per gram at 15 days post treatment. This research highlights the therapeutic potential of Egyptian propolis extract as a treatment against F. gigantica and C. novyi type B infections, and investigated its mode of action through its effect on some cellular and humoral responses in sheep with both infections.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Body Weight
  • Clostridium / drug effects
  • Clostridium Infections / drug therapy
  • Clostridium Infections / veterinary*
  • Fasciola / drug effects
  • Fascioliasis* / drug therapy
  • Fascioliasis* / veterinary
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-2
  • Propolis* / pharmacology
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-10
  • Propolis

Supplementary concepts

  • Clostridium novyi