Weight Losses In <i>Ancylostoma Caninum</i> Infected Mice Receiving <i>Allium Sativum</i> aqueous extract

Abstract

Globally, one billion people, mostly the poor bear hookworm burden. Quick fixes with A. sativum remediation are attractive but there is no information of host reactions when infected people consume this plant. The study set to ascertain whether A. sativum would modulate weight of Ancylostoma caninum-infected mice. Helminth free mice were randomly selected into one of three classes: uninfected group and unfed with A. sativum and two groups of mice infected with A. caninum. One of the infected group received extract of A. sativum while the other did not. All infected mice received 1000/0.2 ml of suspension of infective A. caninum larvae. Mice fed with A. sativum extract received 250 mg/kg weight of animal daily. All experimental animals were allowed mice chow and water ad libitum. Over a 10-day period, the weight of animals obtained were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5 % α-level of significance and Tukey’s test post hoc to evaluate data. Though weight instability was observed in all groups, uninfected healthy mice had a more consistent trend. Weight changes began to vary in infected animals from day 3. Infected garlic fed mice lost more weight significantly (p<0.05; range 0.3 – 4.6 g) than control mice (range 0.14 – 2.85 g). However, both infected groups at day 6 began showing sign of recovery with garlic unfed infected animals trending faster recovery. The use of A. sativum during hookworm infection is contra indicated because of the exacerbation of weight losses. The public health implication of A. sativum intake in concomitant infection with A. caninum was highlighted.