The present study investigates the impact of the administration of Lumbricus rubellus powder on alterations in immunoglobulin production and liver function in murine models infected with Salmonella typhi

Abstract

Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. It is a commonly held belief within the community that earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) have therapeutic properties for a range of ailments, including typhoid fever, diabetes, rheumatism, low cholesterol, increased endurance, and reduced blood pressure. The complex peptide content present in the earthworm group (annelida) has been shown to possess the ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The hypothesis that the relatively higher protein content of earthworms may increase the body's immune system is one that merits further investigation. The objective of this study is to ascertain the impact of earthworm powder on immunoglobulin alterations and its effect on liver function, as indicated by SGOT and SGPT levels. The present study employed murine models infected with Salmonella typhi as an animal model. The treatment groups comprised negative control, positive control, and treatment levels of 0.8; 1.6; 3.2 (gr /0.2 KgBB). The experimental subjects were administered earthworm powder for a period of 14 days. Subsequently, the serum samples were subjected to analysis using the Widal test and an assessment of liver function enzymes, namely SGOT and SGPT. The experimental data were analysed using a real difference test to compare the treatments. The results obtained demonstrated a significant increase in the levels of immunoglobulin O and H titers in the 0.8 g/0.2 kg BB treatment group. It has been established that the optimum SGPT liver function level is 1.6 mg/0.2 kg body weight. The findings of this study indicate that the administration of earthworm powder to rats infected with Salmonella typhi results in an augmentation of both immunoglobulin and SGPT.