SAR Journal of Anatomy and Physiology
Volume-7 | Issue-03
Original Research Article
Assessment of Genetic Damage Induced by Toxoplasmosis in Bone Marrow Cells of Female Mice and the Protective Role of Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) Leaf Extract
Asmaa Abdulhaq Muhammed Khalaf, Neran Thaar Kleb, Nibras Abdulaziz Hamood
Published : June 3, 2026
Abstract
This study was designed to assess the capacity of Toxoplasma gondii to induce genetic alterations in the somatic bone marrow cells of female mice, as well as to examine the potential therapeutic role of bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) extract in reducing or alleviating these alterations. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was employed to discover the active components in the bay leaf extract that may be advantageous in the treatment of toxoplasmosis. 42 female mice, each weighing an average of 20 to 30 grams, were given the parasite, which was taken from the placentas of aborted females. The mice were categorized into six groups, each consisting of three females. The initial group (negative control) was administered solely oil, whereas the subsequent group (positive control) was infected exclusively with the parasite. The four remaining groups were infected with the parasite and subsequently administered bay leaf extract at varying dosages (1, 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg) for a duration of 14 days. The results showed a significant decrease (P>0.05) in chromosomal abnormalities, including chromatid fragmentation, centromere fragmentation, and circular chromosome fragmentation, in the groups treated with bay leaf extract compared to the control group infected with the parasite. A significant increase in the mitotic index and a decrease in micronucleus frequency were also observed in the treated groups, indicating a protective and therapeutic effect of the bay leaf extract. Our findings confirm that bay leaf extract has the ability to mitigate the genetic damage caused by T, gondii in bone marrow cells.