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Background <p><i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection poses a significant threat to immunocompromised hosts, and effective treatment options are limited. <i>Portulaca oleracea</i>, commonly known as Purslane, has been traditionally used in folk medicine for its potential therapeutic properties. This study investigated the anti-<i>Cryptosporidium</i> activities and anti-inflammatory properties of <i>Portulaca</i> in immunosuppressed mice.</p> Methods <p>Forty female mice were rendered immunosuppressed by oral administration of dexamethasone for 14 consecutive days. Following immunosuppression, the animals were randomly divided into 5 groups (8 mice per group): Group 1 (Is) was immunosuppressed and non-infected. Group 2 (IsI): immunosuppressed infected with <i>Cryptosporidium</i>. Group 3 (IsN): immunosuppressed infected nitazoxanide-treated. Group 4 (IsP): immunosuppressed infected and treated with <i>Portulaca</i> methanolic extraction. Group 5 (IsNP): immunosuppressed infected and received a combination of the methanolic extract of <i>Portulaca</i> and nitazoxanide. Oocyst count, IFN-γ and IL-17 levels, and histological and immunohistochemical (tumor necrosis factor-α) examination of intestinal tissue were conducted.</p> Results <p>Our results suggested that <i>Portulaca</i> extract significantly reduced <i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection in immunosuppressed mice, as evidenced by a 65% decrease in oocyst count. Moreover, treatment with <i>Portulaca</i> attenuated inflammation, as indicated by reduced cytokine levels: IFN-γ and IL-17 decreased to 94.8 ± 27.23 and 134.83 ± 29.4, respectively, in the IsP group compared with the IsI group (194.5 ± 37.73 and 353.23 ± 64.4). A significant reduction in IFN-γ and IL-17 was observed in the IsPN group, with levels of 47.77 ± 10.6 and 87.73 ± 39.16, respectively. Histological examination improved intestinal architecture, with reduced tissue damage and inflammatory cell infiltration. Additionally, quantitative immunohistochemical analysis revealed a marked decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α expression from 37.93% in the IsI group to 1.075% and 2.727% in IsP and IsNP groups, respectively.</p> Conclusions <p><i>Portulaca oleracea</i> demonstrated significant anti-<i>Cryptosporidium</i> activity through immunomodulatory effects, reflected by reduced IFN-γ and IL-17 levels, offering novel insights into its therapeutic potential as an immunomodulatory agent in cryptosporidiosis. </p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable.</p>

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Antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects of Portulaca oleracea against Cryptosporidium parvum in experimentally infected immunosuppressed mice

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月24日

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  • Asmaa A. Abo Elqasem,
  • Hend M. El-Menyawy,
  • Doaa Abdel-Fattah Ahmed Amer,
  • Eman S. El-Wakil

摘要

Background

Cryptosporidium infection poses a significant threat to immunocompromised hosts, and effective treatment options are limited. Portulaca oleracea, commonly known as Purslane, has been traditionally used in folk medicine for its potential therapeutic properties. This study investigated the anti-Cryptosporidium activities and anti-inflammatory properties of Portulaca in immunosuppressed mice.

Methods

Forty female mice were rendered immunosuppressed by oral administration of dexamethasone for 14 consecutive days. Following immunosuppression, the animals were randomly divided into 5 groups (8 mice per group): Group 1 (Is) was immunosuppressed and non-infected. Group 2 (IsI): immunosuppressed infected with Cryptosporidium. Group 3 (IsN): immunosuppressed infected nitazoxanide-treated. Group 4 (IsP): immunosuppressed infected and treated with Portulaca methanolic extraction. Group 5 (IsNP): immunosuppressed infected and received a combination of the methanolic extract of Portulaca and nitazoxanide. Oocyst count, IFN-γ and IL-17 levels, and histological and immunohistochemical (tumor necrosis factor-α) examination of intestinal tissue were conducted.

Results

Our results suggested that Portulaca extract significantly reduced Cryptosporidium infection in immunosuppressed mice, as evidenced by a 65% decrease in oocyst count. Moreover, treatment with Portulaca attenuated inflammation, as indicated by reduced cytokine levels: IFN-γ and IL-17 decreased to 94.8 ± 27.23 and 134.83 ± 29.4, respectively, in the IsP group compared with the IsI group (194.5 ± 37.73 and 353.23 ± 64.4). A significant reduction in IFN-γ and IL-17 was observed in the IsPN group, with levels of 47.77 ± 10.6 and 87.73 ± 39.16, respectively. Histological examination improved intestinal architecture, with reduced tissue damage and inflammatory cell infiltration. Additionally, quantitative immunohistochemical analysis revealed a marked decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α expression from 37.93% in the IsI group to 1.075% and 2.727% in IsP and IsNP groups, respectively.

Conclusions

Portulaca oleracea demonstrated significant anti-Cryptosporidium activity through immunomodulatory effects, reflected by reduced IFN-γ and IL-17 levels, offering novel insights into its therapeutic potential as an immunomodulatory agent in cryptosporidiosis.

Clinical trial number

Not applicable.