Immunomodulatory effects of Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract in sheep naturally co-infected with Fasciola gigantica and Clostridium novyi

The current study was designed to evaluate the in vivo fasciolicidal activity of Moringa (M.) oleifera leaf aqueous extract oral administration as well as its antibacterial activity against Clostridium (C.) novyi in sheep naturally co-infected with fascioliasis and C. novyi. Sheep naturally infected with fascioliasis were divided into 3 groups, heavily infected treated group, lightly infected treated group and mixed infection control (non-treated) group. Treatment groups were orally administered M. oleifera leaves aqueous extract at a dose of 150 mg/kg every 48 h for 21 days. Animal body weights, fecal egg count, serum levels of anti-Fasciola IgG, cytokines (IL-2, IL-17, IL-10), and bacterial count of C. novyi were evaluated. The results showed that treatment with M. oleifera improved the body weight gain and decreased fecal egg count in lightly and heavily infected groups compared to the nontreated group with 100% reduction in egg count in lightly infected sheep. Furthermore, the treatment with M. oleifera significantly reduced the serum levels of IgG, IL-2, and IL-17. Interestingly, elevated levels of IL-10 were recorded in both heavily and lightly infected sheep. The treatment with Moringa extract significantly decreased the fecal bacterial count of C. novyi in both heavily and lightly infected groups. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential beneficial effects of M. oleifera leaf against Fasciola (F.) gigantica and C. novyi.