Effects of the Chinese medicine matrine on experimental C. parvum infection in BALB/c mice and MDBK cells.

To date, there are no effective methods of treating Cryptosporidium infection in animals or humans. Matrine, a main active alkaloid extract from Sophora flavescens, has potential antineoplastic, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. However, the treating effects of matrine on Cryptosporidium infection as well as its mechanisms of action are largely unknown. The present study investigated the effects of matrine on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in both in vitro and in vivo models. Oocyst excretion, plasma D-lactic acid concentrations, and bacterial translocation rates were assayed to evaluate the efficacy of treatment in experimentally infected BALB/c mice. Matrine effects on parasite replication and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were assessed in cell cultures. The results showed that matrine could significantly reduce the number of C. parvum oocysts by 54-63%, and the number of C. parvum-infected cells by 28-58%. Plasma D-lactic acid concentrations and LDH activity in the matrine-treated groups were lower than the infected group (P < 0.05) and higher than the control (P < 0.05). The bacterial translocation rates in groups treated with matrine at high doses were lower than the infected group (P < 0.05) and not higher than the control (P > 0.05). These results clearly demonstrate that matrine can inhibit C. parvum infection. Integrity of cell membranes and of the mucosal barrier is improved in treated animals as compared to untreated infected controls. Thus, it is concluded that matrine has a potential in therapeutic applications against C. parvum infection.