Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Zoology

Human and animal ascariasis are serious, neglected tropical diseases caused by intestinal nematodes. Conventional drug treatment often lacks efficacy, induces serious side effects, and does not prevent contamination of the environment with eggs. The majority of people, especially in rural areas, use traditional plantbased medicines, among which curcumin, to combat gastrointestinal ailments. Curcumin (CUR) is traditionally used for elimination of worms. However, few reports have addressed CUR use in the control of intestinal parasites, namely ascarids. This study was performed as a start of a program aiming at the development of CUR as lead drug for human and animal ascariasis.To assess CUR activity on ascarids, ex vivo Toxocara vitulorum, adults and egg stages were exposed at 37{u00BA}C for 4 hr to different concentrations of CUR (0 to 500 oM) in RPMI medium supplemented with 2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Adult worms were further examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Examination of ovocidal CUR effects involved eggs produced from CUR-exposed female worms, and eggs obtained from intact females. Eggs were washed, suspended in 0.1 N sulphuric acid, and examined for development and maturation 4, 7, 11 and 18 days later. Remarkable effects of CUR on ex vivo T. vitulorum adults and egg stages encourage investigations on CUR in vitro and in vivo impact on human and animal ascarids of public health and economic importance

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