Hepatoprotective Role of Persea americana (Lauraceae) on Eimeria papillata-induced Infection in Mice

Background: Eimeria papillata is a parasitic protozoon that causes intestinal coccidiosis in mice. Due to the rise of drug-resistant strains, medicinal plants are now employed to treat parasite diseases. Purpose: This study investigated the beneficial and therapeutic effects of Persea americana extract (PAE) on biological, hematology, biochemical, and oxidative stress markers, as well as trace elements changes in the hepatic tissue of E. papillata-infected mice. Methods: The animals were divided (five mice/group), as follows Group 1: Control group for noninfected-nontreated mice, Group 2: Treated group for mice orally treated with PAE (500 mg/kg b.w.), Group 3: Infected group for mice orally infected with Eimeria oocysts, Group 4: Infected-treated group for mice orally infected with Eimeria oocysts and then treated for 5 days with PAE (500 mg/kg b.w.), and Group 5: Infected-treated group for mice orally infected with Eimeria oocysts and then treated for 5 days with amprolium (120 mg/kg b.w.). On the 5th day postinfection, animals were euthanized, and samples (blood and livers) were collected from them. Results: The coccidial infection caused weight loss of -2.54%, which improved to -1.36% with PAE. PAE therapy reduced the number of oocysts in mice's feces. Furthermore, the Eimeria infection increased lymphocytes and neutrophils. The infection resulted in severe liver impairment, as evidenced by pathological changes as well as an elevation in liver function parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Infection also resulted in a considerable reduction in glutathione reduced and an elevation in nitric oxide, and malonaldehyde. PAE demonstrated significant hepatoprotective activity by increasing these parameters. Our data revealed that E. papillata infection resulted in considerable increases in Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Co concentrations, which were then reduced following PAE treatment. Conclusion: Our results showed that PAE treatment significantly reduced hepatic damage and oxidative stress caused by E. papillata infections.