Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 10 4 2015 12 14 625 631 EN Amir TAVAKOLI KARESHK Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Amir KEYHANI Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Hossein MAHMOUDVAND Research Center for Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran Razieh TAVAKOLI OLIAEI Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Arash asadi Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Moazameh ANDISHMAND Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Hossein AZZIZIAN Department of Physiology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Zahra BABAEI Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Naser ZIA-ALI Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2015 12 14 2015 12 14 Background: We evaluated the in vivo activity of Bunium persicum (Boiss) essential oil on infected mice with acute toxoplasmosis. Methods: To evaluate prophylactic effects, male NMRI mice received B. persicum essential oil at the concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 mL/kg for 14 days. After 24 h mice were infected intraperitonealy with 1×104 tachyzoites of T. gondii, RH strain. In order to investigate therapeutic effects, mice were infected and then received B. persicum oil at the concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 ml/kg two times a day for 5 days. The time/mean time of death in all infected mice and the number of tachyzoites from infected mice were recorded. Results: The time/mean time of death of infected mice was 8 and 9 days after oral administration of B. persicum oil at the concentration of 0.05 and 0.1 mL/kg, respectively (P<0.05). In contrast, the time/mean time of death control group was 5 days. In addition, B. persicum significantly reduced the mean number of tachyzo­ites compared with control group. The time/mean time of death of infected mice was 6 and 7 days after oral administration of B. persicum essential oil at the concentra­tion of 0.05 and 0.1 mL/kg, respectively. In contrast, the time/mean time of death control group was 5 days. B. persicum especially at the concentration of 0.1 ml/kg significantly reduced the mean number of tachyzoites compared with con­trol group. Conclusion: The results showed the potential of B. persicum essential oil as a natu­ral source for the production of new prophylactic agent for use in toxoplasmosis. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/664 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/664/545