Effect of Curcumin Enema Dosage Regimes on the Reduction of Giardia Cyst among Calves

Abstract

Giardiasis is one of the most significant and neglected parasitic infestations among calves, resulting in intestinal infections.  This protozoan agent gained diagnostic and therapeutical importance because of its zoonotic potential, in which novel alternative/substitute therapeutical interventions are important, and this is because commonly used antiparasitic drugs for control and eradication for battling this infection commonly presented side effects.  Therefore, the present project evaluated the anti-protozoan activity of curcumin at different dose regimes used via the rectal route, the main constituent of turmeric.  Rectal enema groups [Group I: 2 gr/kg, Group II: 80 mg/kg, and Group III: 10 mg/kg] and oral treatment Group IV: 2 gr/calf consisted of curcumin treatment at appropriate dosages showed herein in which the control group V were untreated.  All treatment groups showed a statistically significant decrease in cyst counts on day 10, compared to day 10 values of the control group (p<0.005).  Among the treatment groups, the highest cyst reduction was evident at 99.86% in curcumin 10 mg/kg rectal enema-administered calves (Group III), which received the lowest dose of the study.  Curcumin at all dosages, primarily used in the rectal route at the lowest dosage regimen of 10 mg/kg, could have hastened clinical and parasitological efficacy via probable inhibition of Giardia proliferation and adhesion, as described previously.  This treatment modality via the rectal route can change the game, highlighting novel treatment protocols.