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The effect of essential oils from Thymus broussonetii Boiss on transmission of Toxoplasma gondii cysts in mice

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Abstract

In this study, we have evaluated the effect of essential oils of Thymus broussonetii Boiss, an endemic plant of Morocco in experimental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii cysts in mice. These oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and were administered to mice at 20 µg/animal orally at the time of infection and for several days thereafter. This resulted in total absence of intracerebral cysts in mice who received the essential oils signifying that these essential oils of thyme have a blocking effect on the appearance of the cysts. In addition, no abnormality was observed in the control mice who received the essential oils of thyme.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to deeply thank Prof. Moha Taourirt for his help and the personnel of the Laboratory of Parasitology of the University Hospital of Saint Etienne and Mr. A. Regragui for their skilful technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Equipe d’Immuno-Parasitologie et Physiologie, Laboratoire Aliments, Environnement et Santé, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Bd. A. El Khattabi, B.P. 549, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco

    A. Dahbi, A. Hssaine, Y. Elhachimi & J. Hafid

  2. Groupe Immunité des Muqueuses et Agents Pathogènes (GIMAP), Faculté de Médecine Jacques Lisfranc, 15 rue Ambroise Paré, 42023, Saint Etienne Cedex 02, France

    B. Bellete, P. Flori, H. Raberin & R. Tran Manh Sung

  3. UFR de Biologie et Santé, Faculté des Sciences Semlalia, Marrakech, Morocco

    A. Chait

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  1. A. Dahbi
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  2. B. Bellete
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  3. P. Flori
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  4. A. Hssaine
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  5. Y. Elhachimi
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  6. H. Raberin
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  7. A. Chait
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  8. R. Tran Manh Sung
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  9. J. Hafid
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Correspondence to J. Hafid.

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Dahbi, A., Bellete, B., Flori, P. et al. The effect of essential oils from Thymus broussonetii Boiss on transmission of Toxoplasma gondii cysts in mice. Parasitol Res 107, 55–58 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1832-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1832-z

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