The Study of the Effect of Copper Nanoparticles in Enhancing the Efficacy of Metronidazole in Treating Entamoeba histolytica Infection
Taghreed A. Mustafa, Prof. Dr. Intisar Ghanim Abdulwahhab
In a study conducted from May 1 to June 10, 2023, at the Samarra Pharmaceutical Laboratory, the therapeutic effects of copper nanoparticles and metronidazole were explored on mice infected with amoebic dysentery caused by Entamoeba histolytica. The mice were divided into several groups and infected with the parasite. The study focused on measuring interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels and conducting histological analyses of specific organs such as the liver, kidneys, and colon. The results indicated a significant increase in IFN-γ levels in the parasite-only group (Group 1, CN) (465.68 ± 36.44 pg/ml), which served as the negative control, compared to the positive control group (Group 2, CP) (78.03 ± 0.51 pg/ml). A significant decrease (P≤0.05) in IFN-γ levels was observed in the group treated with metronidazole and copper nanoparticles (Group 3) (245.34 ± 4.23 pg/ml) compared to the parasite-only group (Group 1, CN) (465.68 ± 36.44 pg/ml). Additionally, the results demonstrated noticeable improvements in immune responses and tissue conditions in the mice treated with copper nanoparticles and metronidazole compared to the positive and negative control groups.
Keywords: Copper Nanoparticles, Interferon Gamma, Entamoeba histolytica, Metronidazole
