Ameliorative Effects of Blue LED Irradiated and Non-Irradiated Fenugreek Seed Extracts on Murine Trichinosis.

BACKGROUND

Trichinosis is a severe parasitic disease with a wide distribution and potential to affect humans. Available chemotherapeutic agents exhibit limited efficacy and are associated with numerous side effects. This study evaluated the ameliorative effects of blue LED irradiated and non-irradiated fenugreek seed extracts on experimental trichinosis.

METHODS

Eighty-four mice were divided into seven groups; each further subdivided into intestinal and muscular phases (six mice per subgroup): non-infected non-treated controls, infected non-treated controls, infected albendazole-treated, infected non-irradiated fenugreek extract-treated, infected blue LED irradiated fenugreek extract-treated, infected non-irradiated fenugreek and albendazole-treated, and infected blue LED irradiated fenugreek and albendazole-treated. Mice were sacrificed on the 7th-day post-infection for the intestinal phase and the 40th day for the muscular phase. Small intestine, muscle tissues, and serum samples were collected to assess parasitic load, histopathological changes, TGF-β immunohistochemical expression, serum IFN-γ levels, oxidative stress markers (MDA, nitrate/SOD, and catalase), and BAX gene expression as an apoptotic marker. Metabolomic profiling of extract was pursued to spot differential expression of metabolites.

RESULTS

Study outcomes demonstrated that blue LED irradiated and non-irradiated fenugreek seed extracts combined with albendazole exhibited superior efficacy in reducing adult and larval burdens, improving pathological changes, decreasing IFN-γ levels, mitigating oxidative stress (reduced MDA and nitrate along with elevated SOD and catalase), and downregulating BAX expression. The observed metabolic differences were primarily driven by the upregulation of steroids, downregulation of most alkaloids, and dysregulation various flavonoids in the irradiated extract.

CONCLUSION

Blue LED irradiated and non-irradiated fenugreek seed extracts can enhance albendazole's activity against trichinosis.