This journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi
Early View
Evaluation of Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) Extract as a Natural Anti-Blastocystis Agent: Effects on Physiological, Immunological, Antioxidant Defense Gene Expression, and Gut Health in Challenged Albino Rats
1Department of Biology, College of Science in Zulfi, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, SAUDI ARABIA2Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, 13317, SAUDI ARABIA
3Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, SAUDI ARABIA
4Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA
5Biological Sciences Department, College of Science & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, 21911, SAUDI ARABIA
6University of Shendi, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, PO Box 142, Shendi, SUDAN
7Food Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, EGYPT
8Department of Chemistry, College of Science & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, 21911, SAUDI ARABIA
9Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, SAUDI ARABIA
10Department of Biology. College of Science. Taibah University, Madinah, SAUDI ARABIA
11Health and Life Research Center, Taibah University, Madinah 42353, SAUDI ARABIA
12Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, SAUDI ARABIA DOI : 10.9775/kvfd.2026.37954 The intestinal protozoan Blastocystis species is highly prevalent worldwide, and its increasing resistance to conventional drugs has prompted a search for effective, safe alternatives. Salvia rosmarinus has shown antiparasitic potential; therefore, the aim of this work is to evaluate the anti-Blastocystis efficacy of S. rosmarinus both in vitro and in vivo, while simultaneously assessing host performance, blood biochemistry, and gut health parameters. In the in vivo experiment, 240 male albino rats were divided into six groups: T1 (healthy control), T2 (Blastocystis-infected untreated), T3 (uninfected + metronidazole), T4 (uninfected + Salvia rosmarinus 200 mg/kg), T5 (infected + Salvia rosmarinus 200 mg/kg), and T6 (infected + metronidazole). In vitro, the extract exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on Blastocystis growth. In vivo, T5 reduced parasite counts (P<0.05). Blood biochemistry revealed no evidence of hepatorenal toxicity at T4 or T5. Immune analysis demonstrated elevated IgA/IgG, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ), and increased IL-10 in T5. Also, T5 showed a significant decrease in MDA and elevated SOD, CAT, and GSH. Gut health assessment demonstrated improved intestinal histomorphology and enhanced expression of defense genes, including occludin and claudin-1. T4 showed no adverse effects (P>0.05). These findings establish Salvia rosmarinus as a promising alternative agent against Blastocystis infection, opening a new research direction for plant-based therapies targeting intestinal protozoa. Keywords : Antioxidant, Antiparasitic, Physiology, Immunology, Oxidative stress, Microbiota