Purpose:Albendazoleisthedrugofchoiceforchemotherapyofcysticechinococcosis(CE)but40%ofpatientsdo not respond to it satisfactorily. With regard to the previously reported scolicidal activity ofZataria multiflora, this study was done to evaluate the efficacy of the co-administration of albendazole and Z. multiflora aromatic water (AW)onhydatidcystsinamurinemodel.MaterialsandMethods:Laboratorymicewereinfectedwith1,500viable protoscoleces. After development of hydatid cysts, the infected mice were allocated into four treatment and one control group. The mice of groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were treated orally with albendazole (100 mg/kg), Z. multiform AW (100 ml/l), albendazole (100 mg/kg) – Z. multiform AW and albendazole ((50 mg/kg) – Z. multiform AW respectively. Two months later, all the mice were euthanized and necropsied and the number, size and weight of hydatid cysts were compared between different groups. Results: The size of the largest cysts, as well as the total weightofcysts,weresignificantlylower(p < .05)inthemicetreatedwithalbendazole(50mg/kg)–Z.multiflora AW in comparison to those treated with albendazole (100 mg/kg) alone. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed the superiority of co-administration of albendazole and Z. multiflora AW to albendazole alone in the treatment of CE in laboratory mice. Since Z. multiflora AW is a safe and useful drink, it may be used successfully to enhance the therapeutic effect of albendazole in the patients infected with hydatid disease.

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