Abstract
PURPOSE: Current treatments for toxoplasmosis are often limited. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Allium sativum (garlic) extract loaded onto Fe-MOFs in a murine model of chronic toxoplasmosis. METHODS: Sixty-five mice were assigned to seven groups. All groups, except the healthy control (GI), were infected with the Toxoplasma gondii ME49 strain. Treatments included Fe-MOFs (GIII), spiramycin (GIV), spiramycin@Fe-MOFs (GV), garlic extract (GVI), and garlic extract@Fe-MOFs (GVII). In vitro drug toxicity for garlic, Fe-MOFs, and garlic extract@Fe-MOFs were detected. Brain cysts counted, histopathological changes in various organs, and parasite DNA load (P29 gene) were assessed post-treatment using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Spiramycin@Fe-MOFs (GV) and garlic extract @Fe-MOFs (GVII) groups showed a significant reduction in brain cyst burden (39.63% and 59.45%, respectively), along with marked improvement in histopathological changes compared to the other treated infected groups. CONCLUSION: These findings support garlic@Fe-MOFs as a potential treatment for toxoplasmosis, demonstrating enhanced efficacy, reduced toxicity, and improved histopathological outcomes.