Abstract
Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoan named Toxoplasma gondii. This protozoan is a parasite of cats that can spread among other animals and birds around the world and cause a disease that varies from mild to severe. The disease is seen in the forms of acquired toxoplasmosis and congenital toxoplasmosis. Many studies have shown that there is a relationship between reproductive function and toxoplasmosis. T. gondii has led to decreased reproductive performance of males and females in many experimental animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Solanum surattense on the brain tissue damage and brain oxidative stress induced by T. gondii in adult rats.
Methods: For this purpose, 32 adult female rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. In group 1, 8 healthy rats received IP saline for 3 weeks. In group 2, 8 rats with T. gondii received IP saline for 3 weeks. In group 3, 8 rats with T. gondii received the hydroalcoholic extract of S. surattense for 3 weeks. In group 4, 8 healthy rats received the hydroalcoholic extract of S. surattense for 3 weeks. Then, brain tissue resection was performed to evaluate histological damage and levels of antioxidant enzymes.
Results: Histological and biochemical studies showed that T. gondii had a deleterious effect on the brain tissue of rats and increased the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The administration of hydroalcoholic extract of S. surattense improved these effects due to its high antioxidant properties.
Conclusion: The administration of the appropriate dose of hydroalcoholic extract of S. surattense for three consecutive weeks had a protective effect on brain tissue exposed to T. gondii.