Nanomaterials as a Potential Target for Infectious Parasitic Agents

Investigating the therapeutic effects of curcumin nanocapsules in hydatid cyst-infected mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

The primary treatment for cysts is surgery, including removing the cyst and administering the appropriate chemical drugs. Herbal remedies have gained popularity as a viable and secure alternative to conventional pharmaceuticals. It may be advantageous to use nanocapsules to overcome the bioavailability challenges associated with herbal remedies like curcumin. The present study aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of curcumin nanocapsules in treating hydatid infections.

METHODS

Curcumin-loaded oil-in-water surfactant-based biocompatible nanomicelles were developed from dissolving Curcumin in 1% (w/w) solutions of ethyl butyrate oil by dissolving an amount of fatty acid sodium caprylate (SC, 0.09 g) and F127 (0.009 g), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS at pH 7.4) under vigorous stirring at a fixed ethyl butyrate-to-surfactant molar ratio of 10 and final total volume of 50 mL. The excess of free PHT was eliminated by dialysis for 24 h. Following five months after infection, 45 mice were divided into six groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were treated daily with curcumin nanocapsules (0.5, 0.25, 0.125 mg/ml) for one month. Group 4 was treated with curcumin (0.5 mg/ml), group 5 was treated with albendazole (150 mg/kg), and group 6 was the negative control group without treatments (only received saline). A detailed analysis of the cysts' physical characteristics, including their size and weight, has been conducted.

RESULTS

The mean zeta potential spectrum of the nanocapsules was -33.96 mV. Regarding the total cyst numbers, all three nanocapsule groups had significantly lower total cyst numbers than the curcumin, albendazole, and negative control groups. Regarding the total cyst weight, all three nanocapsule groups had a significantly lower total cyst weight than the curcumin and negative control groups. Regarding the cyst with the maximum size, nanocapsules groups 1 and 2 had a significantly smaller size than the curcumin, albendazole, and negative control groups.

CONCLUSION

The current study found that encapsulation positively affects curcumin efficacy as a superior alternative to chemical drugs, offering both biological advantages and environmental benefits.

Evaluation of the In-Vitro Effects of Albendazole, Mebendazole, and Praziquantel Nanocapsules against Protoscolices of Hydatid Cyst

Cystic echinococcosis still remains a serious health and economic problem worldwide. The etiologic agent is Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, giving origin to a fluid-filled cystic lesion. Therapy faces several challenges. Nanodrugs have shown promise as chemotherapeutics against hydatid cysts. The present study evaluated a highly safe lipid nano-polymeric capsule for its superior efficacy and ability to overcome drug resistance. Nanocapsule drugs were formulated into six groups: Albendazole, mebendazole, praziquantel, albendazole + mebendazole, albendazole + praziquantel, and praziquantel + mebendazole. The protoscolicidal effects of these six groups were assessed at 10, 60, and 120 min in three concentrations (1, 0.5, and 0.25 mg/mL). Drug formulations were evaluated via zeta potential, droplet size, solubility, particle size analyzer (PSA), and scanning electron microscopy. According to the PSA results, the mean size of the albendazole nanocapsules was 193.01 nm, mebendazole was 170.40 nm, and praziquantel was 180.44 nm. Albendazole + mebendazole showed the greatest protoscolicidal activity at a concentration of 1 mg/mL after 120 min. In contrast, each drug's 0.25 mg/mL single-dose times showed the least protoscolicidal activity after 120 min. With the right application of nanotechnology, it is possible to produce safe and effective drugs, such as the polymeric combination of albendazole and mebendazole, which has promising implications.

Overview of Research on Leishmaniasis in Africa: Current Status, Diagnosis, Therapeutics, and Recent Advances Using By-Products of the Sargassaceae Family

Leishmaniasis in Africa, which has been designated as a priority neglected tropical disease by various global organizations, exerts its impact on millions of individuals, primarily concentrated within this particular region of the world. As a result of the progressively grave epidemiological data, numerous governmental sectors and civil organizations have concentrated their endeavors on this widespread outbreak with the objective of devising appropriate remedies. This comprehensive examination delves into multiple facets of this parasitic ailment, scrutinizing the associated perils, diagnostic intricacies, and deficiencies within the existing therapeutic protocols. Despite the established efficacy of current treatments, they are not immune to deleterious incidents, particularly concerning toxicity and the emergence of parasitic resistance, thus accentuating the necessity of exploring alternative avenues. Consequently, this research not only encompasses conventional therapeutic approaches, but also extends its scope to encompass complementary and alternative medicinal techniques, thereby striving to identify innovative solutions. A particularly auspicious dimension of this study lies in the exploration of natural substances and by-products derived from some brown algae of the Sargassaceae family. These resources possess the potential to assume a pivotal role in the management of leishmaniasis.

In vitro evaluation of antileishmanial activity of Boswellia serrata essential oil nanoliposome

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniasis poses a significant health risk.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Boswellia serrata (B. serrata) essential oil nanoliposomes on Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) in vitro.

METHODS

A mixture of B. serrata essential oil, phosphatidylcholine and Tween 80 were used to prepare B. serrata essential oil nanoliposomes, followed by drying, hydration and size characterisation. The promastigotes of L. tropica were cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium (RPMI-1640) containing streptomycin, penicillin and fetal bovine serum. Different concentrations of B. serrata essential and nanoliposomes were tested for their antileishmanial properties by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium Bromide tests (MTT).

RESULTS

Results of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for B. serrata nanoliposomes indicate that they are successful at producing nanoliposomes with dimensions of 74.8 nm. At 1 μg/mL dose, B. serrata essence caused 17 ± 1.73% mortality, while B. serrata nanoliposomes induced 26 ± 1.15% mortality. B. serrata essence achieved a mortality of 55 ± 2.88% at 10 μg/mL, whereas B. serrata nanoliposomes demonstrated a mortality of 63.66±0.88% at 10 μg/mL. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between similar concentrations of B. serrata and B. serrata nanoliposomes. The LC50 of B. serrata essential oil is 7.26 μg/mL in the 95% confidence interval (12.13-5.25). The LC90 value of B. serrata essential oil is 129.37 μg/mL in the 95% confidence interval (50.07-852.58). The LC50 value of B. serrata nanoliposome is 4.20 μg/mL in the 95% confidence interval (6.13-3.10). LC90 value for B. serrata nanoliposome is calculated as 91.89 μg/mL in the 95% confidence interval (37.09-583.29).

CONCLUSIONS

In vitro experiments have shown that B. serrata oil and the nanoliposome suppress the proliferation of L. tropica promastigotes, which suggests it may be a promising option for treating leishmaniasis.