Is GRA6 Gene a Suitable Marker for Molecular Typing of Toxoplasma Gondii? A Scoping Systematic Review

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease with a worldwide prevalence that is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. This study aimed to summarize available data on genotyping T. gondii strains based on the GRA6 gene marker in different hosts around the world. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using five international databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) from inception until December 2021. We identified 32 papers eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. The majority of studies (50%) were carried out in Iran (n = 16) to identify T. gondii genotypes based on the GRA6 gene. Other countries with reported studies include China, Japan, Sweden, and Italy (n = 2 each). Out of 3,434 samples collected from various hosts, most studies (n = 11) focused on human samples (34.4%), followed by ovine (n = 7), pig (n = 4), goat (n = 3) and soil and cattle (n = 2).Using various molecular methods such as conventional PCR, nested-PCR, real-time PCR, microsatellite analysis, and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP), we found DNA positive results in 805 out of 3,434 samples. Of these, 285 (35.40%), 207 (25.71%), 182 (22.60%), 65 (8.07%), and 18 (2.23%) were infected with types I, II, III, mix I, II, III, and mix II, III, respectively. Our data demonstrate that the GRA6 gene marker has sufficient polymorphism to detect three types of T. gondii genotypes in various hosts. Identifying the specific genotype could be valuable in developing new strategies for treatment, vaccination, diagnosis, control, and prevention of T. gondii infection.

Anti-leishmanial effects of Eryngium planum and Ecbilliun elaterum methanolic extract against Leishmania major

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease, one of the most important neglected tropical diseases. Existing anti-leishmanial treatments are not effective for a long time and associated with toxic side effects so searching for a new, effective and safe alternative treatments against infectious diseases is greatly needed. This study is aimed to assess the leishmaniacidal effects of methanolic extracts of Eryngium planum (E. planum) and Ecbilliun elaterum (E. elaterum) on Leishmania major (L. major), In vitro. The selected plants were collected from northern areas of Iran. The methanolic extract from the aerial parts of plants were prepared using maceration methods. GC- Mass analysis was used to determine the compounds of the plants. Promastigotes of L. major was cultured in RPMI-1640 medium and the anti-leishmanial and cytotoxicity effects of extracts at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 800 µg/ml were assessed using MTT assay. The data obtained from gas chromatography revealed that α-Pinene, Caryophyllene oxide, β-Caryophyllene, Bicyclogermacrene and α-Bisabolol are the main compounds extracted from E. planum and α-Pinene, Germacrene D, Caryophyllene oxide, γ-Eudesmol and α-Bisabolol are the main components of E. elaterum. The results of MTT Assay revealed that E. planum at concentrations of 800 µg/ml after 24 h at 400 µg/ml after 48 h and the E. elaterium at concentrations of 800 µg/ml after 48 h at 400 µg/ml after 72 h had similar anti-leishmanial effects to the positive control. These results indicated that E. planum and E. elaterum are the potential sources for the discovery of novel anti-leishmanial treatments.

Anti-leishmanial effects of resveratrol and resveratrol nanoemulsion on Leishmania major

Background

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that is endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Low efficacy and high cytotoxicity of the current treatment regimens for leishmaniasis is one of the most important health problems. In this experimental study, anti-leishmanial effects of different concentrations of resveratrol and resveratrol nano-emulsion (RNE) were assessed.

Methods

RNE was prepared using the probe ultra-sonication method. The cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT technique on the L929 cell line. The anti-leishmanial activities on promastigotes of leishmania were assessed using vital staining and infected BALB/c mice were used to assess the in vivo anti-leishmanial effects.

Results

In vitro and in vivo assays revealed that all concentrations of resveratrol and RNE had valuable inhibitory effects against Leishmania major in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values were calculated as 16.23 and 35.71 µg/mL for resveratrol and RNE, respectively. Resveratrol and RNE showed no cytotoxicity against the L929 cell line.

Conclusions

According to the potent in vitro and in vivo anti-leishmanial activity of RNE at low concentration against L. major, we suggest that it could be a promising anti-leishmanial therapeutic against L. major in the future.

Utility of blood as the clinical specimen for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis using uracil DNA glycosylase-supplemented loop-mediated isothermal amplification and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays based on REP-529 sequence and B1 gene

BACKGROUND

Ocular infection with Toxoplasma gondii is a major preventable cause of blindness, especially in young people. The aim of the present study was to assess detection rate of T. gondii DNA in blood samples of clinically diagnosed of ocular toxoplasmosis using uracil DNA glycosylase-supplemented loop-mediated isothermal amplification (UDG-LAMP) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) based on REP-529 and B1.

METHODS

One hundred and seventeen patients with clinically diagnosed ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) were participated in the study as well as 200 control patients. Peripheral blood samples were assessed using UDG-LAMP and qPCR techniques targeting REP-529 and B1.

RESULTS

Detection limits of qPCR using REP-529 and B1 were estimated as 0.1 and 1 fg of T. gondii genomic DNA, respectively. The limits of detection for UDG-LAMP using REP-529 and B1 were 1 and 100 fg, respectively. In this study, 18 and 16 patients were positive in qPCR using REP-529 and B1, respectively. Based on the results of UDG-LAMP, 15 and 14 patients were positive using REP-529 and B1, respectively. Results of the study on patients with active ocular lesion showed that sensitivity of REP-529 and BI targets included 64 and 63%, respectively using qPCR. Sensitivity of 62 and 61%, were concluded from UDG-LAMP using REP-529 and B1 in the blood cases of active ocular lesion. qPCR was more sensitive than UDG-LAMP for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in peripheral blood samples of patients with clinically diagnosed toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. Furthermore, the REP-529 included a better detection rate for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis in blood samples, compared to that the B1 gene did. Moreover, the qPCR and UDG-LAMP specificity assessments have demonstrated no amplifications of DNAs extracted from other microorganisms based on REP-529 and B1.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from the current study suggest that qPCR and UDG-LAMP based on the REP-529 are promising diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis in blood samples of patients with active chorioretinal lesions.

Promising potent in vitro activity of curcumin and quercetin nano-niosomes against Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonosis, caused by infection with a motile protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Since the 1960s, metronidazole has been used as a drug of choice. Considering increased resistance to anti-trichomonial drugs, alternative treatments are urgently needed. In this study, the standard strain of T. vaginalis was cultured in TYM medium. Curcumin and quercetin loaded with hyaluronic acid niosomes were prepared by the thin film hydration method. The mean vesicle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of each prepared formulation were characterized, and its anti-Trichomonas activity was assessed by concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 mg/ml. The cytotoxicity effects of the mentioned drugs were determined using a MTT assay on L929 fibroblast cell viability. The particle sizes of curcumin, quercetin, and curcumin-quercetin entrapped modified nano-niosomes were characterised as 243 ± 5.28, 223 ± 7.21 and 266 ± 4.81 nm. The results showed that quercetin and curcumin at a concentration of 100 mg/ml after 24 h had anti-T. vaginalis activity. However, curcumin at a concentration of 100 at time 3h with 97% growth inhibition had better performance than positive control (metronidazole). According to the results of the MTT assay, all drugs, even at the highest concentration (400 mg/ml), had no toxic effect on the fibroblast cell line. According to potent in vitro activity of curcumin and quercetin nanoniosomes against T. vaginalis in comparison with metronidazole, it can be concluded these compounds could be promising therapeutic candidates for trichomonosis in future.

Peganum harmala and Nigella sativa: anti-leishmanial activity against Leishmania major promastigotes and amastigotes: in vitro and ex vivo experiment

Leishmaniosis is one of the most important vectors borne disease that is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas. There are many approved treatment for different types of leishmaniosis but all are with some adverse side effects that limited its uses. Here, we attempt to evaluate in vitro and ex vivo anti-leishmanial activities of Peganum harmala (P. harmala) and N. sativa (Nigella sativa) on promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major. The plants were extracted by maceration method and prepared in concentrations of 7.8, 3.9, 1.9, and 0.9 μg. L. major were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium alone and in J774 cell line separately. The extracts at different concentrations were assessed against promastigote (in vitro assay) and amastigotes (ex vivo assay) of L. major for 72 h at 22 and 37°C, respectively. In current work, N. sativa at highest concentration (7.8 μg/ml) showed 54.4 and 60% anti-leishmanial activity with IC50 of 5.3 and 3.278 μg/ml, respectively. Also, P. harmala at highest concentration (7.8 μg/ml) showed 68.9 and 58.6% antileishmanial activity with IC50 of 2.4 μg/ml for both of them, respectively. The SI value was 38.22 for N. sativa, 25.9 for P. harmala, 19.4 for Amphotericin B, and 16.33 for Glucantime. The results of our study indicated that N. sativa and P. harmala are effective against L. major promastigotes and amastigotes and could be consider as an alternative treatments for leishmaniosis. Therefore, it is recommended that further studies be performed to confirm the efficacy and evaluate the toxicity of the herbal extracts.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Patients with Chronic Urticaria in Northern Iran

BACKGROUND

Chronic urticaria (CU) has a range of clinical demonstrations and causes. Parasitic infections are mentioned as one of the main causes of the CU.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients with CU (with duration time of more than 6 weeks) compared healthy subjects.

METHODS

A total of 169 cases and 210 controls were included in this study. Ages ranged from 1 to 77 years old. Three samples were gathered from each patients and direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration, Ziehl-Neelsen and trichrome staining were used.

RESULTS

Out of the 379 individuals examined here, 208 were from urban areas and 171 from rural areas. Three stool samples were taken from each patient in three consecutive days. Based on parasitological tests, 7 (4.1%) cases from 169 patients with CU and 6 (2.9%) cases from 210 non- CU group individuals were positive for intestinal parasites.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of various parasites between case and control groups was not significant.

Emerging Cases of Fascioliasis in Lorestan Province, Western Iran: Case Series Report

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola spp. We report five serologically and molecularly confirmed cases in an emerging region in Iran. A retrospective, case series study, performed in Lorestan Province, west of Iran between January 2015 and June 2016. From 1256 patients examined, 16 patients had positive serum ELISA. Five cases were approved as infected with fasciolosis using stool exam and PCR. Age ranged from 24 to 80 yr with mean age of 45 years. All of patients were adults and four of them had abdominal and back pain. Other symptoms included fever and chills, coughing and sore throat, weight loss, cutaneous manifestations. All patients lived in the rural environment, and four reported the ingestion of raw aquatic plants such as watercress. In fecal examination for fluke eggs, four samples were positive for F. hepatica eggs. Conventional PCR analysis showed that five human stools were positive for F. hepatica. All of 5 patients were treated with the usual dose of triclabendazole. A history of recent consumption of raw aquatic plants (in 4 out of 5 patients) is an important finding, but in one patient the source of infection remained unclear. Lorestan should be considered as an emerging region for this disease and further research in this province should be carried out.

Status of Anaplasma spp. infection in domestic ruminants from Iran: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Anaplasma species are tick-borne pathogens that are obligatory intracellular of ruminants and other mammalians. In this investigation, we systematically reviewed the distribution of anaplasmosis among domestic ruminants in Iran. Five and four English and Persian databases were studied, respectively, based on keywords and throughout 17 years (2001–2017). Thirty-eight articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Totally, 5093 cattle, 1958 sheep, and 1232 goats corresponding to prevalence of Anaplasma infection from different areas of Iran were examined. The total prevalence of Anaplasma infection was estimated to be 34% (95% CI 27%, 41%) in domestic ruminants. Based on our data, Khozestan (54%) and Khorasan Razavi (46%) provinces were the most prevalent areas in Iran and Kerman (3%) and Hamedan (1%) provinces are the lowest. The highest prevalence of Anaplasma spp. infection was belonged to A. ovis (44%) and the lowest to A. phagocytophilum (1%) with a significant difference among them (p < .001). In addition, the most common diagnostic tests were PCR (54%), microscopy (35%) and ELISA (7%) assays. The high prevalence of ovine and bovine anaplasmosis in Iran, confirms the stability situations of animal anaplasmosis in the studied regions particularly northeastern and southwestern parts of the country. Our data offer valuable and encouraging information as regards the current situation of anaplasmosis in domestic livestock in Iran, which might be useful for active and passive surveillance and preventing plans.

Genotyping and phylogenic study of Acanthamoeba isolates from human keratitis and swimming pool water samples in Iran

Objective

Acanthamoeba keratitis cause severe corneal infection and lead to poor vision and blindness. This disease is caused by a unicellular amphizoic protozoon called Acanthamoeba spp. that present in different environments. This study aimed to represent the existence and genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. in patients with keratitis and swimming pool water (SPW) in Tehran Province, Central Iran.

Methods

In this descriptive study, 56 clinical samples were collected from patients with keratitis and 30 water samples were collected from different swimming pools in Tehran Province. All samples were examined based on the morphological and molecular techniques. The genotypes were determined by sequencing the partial of 18S rRNA gene.

Results

Of 56 clinical (corneal) and 30 environmental (SPW) samples, 30.3% and 40.0% were positive for Acanthamoeba spp., respectively. According to sequencing analysis, 94.1% of amoebic keratitis isolates were belonged to T4 genotype and only one (5.8%) isolate was belonged to T11 genotype. All genotypes were detected from SPW samples were identified as T4 genotype.

Conclusion

According to our results, use of contact lens and swimming in pool poses the major risk factor for amoebic keratitis in the studied area (Tehran). Moreover, T4 genotype was the predominant genotype of human keratitis and swimming pool samples there. Consequently, essential and practical measures are urgently needed to prevent subjects against this ocular seriously disease.

Promising In Vitro Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Effects of Commercial Chitosan

CDATA[Background: Toxoplasmosis is a disease that results from infection with an obligate intracellular T. gondii parasite, one of the world's most common parasites. Considering the complications of chemical drugs and the need for an appropriate drug combination for treatment of toxoplasmosis and considering the antimicrobial potential of chitosan, as a natural source, this study was aimed to evaluate in vitro activity of commercial chitosan (CC) on T. gondii.

METHODS

In this experimental study, the tachyzoites of T. gondii were collected from the peritoneal exudates from infected Balb/c mice. The tachyzoites were diluted in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution. Chitosan with low molecular weight was commercially purchased. Then, at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL and after 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes, the viability of tachyzoites was determined by using trypan blue 0.1%. Anti-T.gondii activity of CC in all concentrations was significantly higher than pyrimethamine as the control group (P=0.05).

RESULTS

The concentration of 200 μg/mL of CC had the highest effects and killed 30.5, 52, 59, and 81.5% of tachyzoites after 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes. Moreover, IC50 values of CC were 515, 171, 12.5, and <10 μg/mL in comparison with pyrimethamine as 58.82 μg/mL for 30, 60, 120, and 180 min of exposure time.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that chitosan in low molecular weight had potent activity against T. gondii tachyzoites and could be an appropriate candidate for the treatment of at least acute toxoplasmosis, certainly, after complementary in vivo experiments.

Sonodynamic excitation of nanomicelle curcumin for eradication of Streptococcus mutans under sonodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy: Enhanced anti-caries activity of nanomicelle curcumin

BACKGROUND

Inactivation of microorganisms related to dental caries has been considered the therapy of choice in the treatment of caries. The proposed study aims to assess the effect of sonodynamic excitation of nanomicelle curcumin (NM@Cur) compared to Cur for eradication of Streptococcus mutans under sonodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (SACT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The NM@Cur as a sonosensitizer was synthesized and its morphology, particle size distribution, zeta potential, and physical stability were then determined. After evaluating the Cur and NM@Cur uptake in S. mutans strain, Cur- and NM@Cur-SACT effects were determined on colony forming unit (CFU/mL) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Additionally, cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects of Cur- and NM@Cur-SACT on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells were assessed using MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Transmission electron microscope, particle size distribution, and zeta potential analysis confirmed successful synthesis of NM@Cur. The finding of this study showed that an incubation time of 5 min to 1 h was sufficient to achieve maximal uptake of Cur and NM@Cur in S. mutans. SACT with Cur at a concentration of 50 mM and ultrasound intensity at 1.56 W/cm² for 1 min significantly reduced the count of S. mutans to 90.8 %, compared to control group (P < 0.05), while the count of S. mutans decreased to 99.9 % following treatment with the NM@Cur-SACT (P < 0.05), that was also confirmed via fluorescence microscopy. As well as, SACT with 50 mM NM@Cur not only had the least toxicity against HGF cells, but also showed 10.8-fold increase in intracellular ROS production.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study revealed that NM@Cur-mediated SACT with the least cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects and the highest cellular uptake, ROS production, and antimicrobial activites could effectively inhibit the growth of the S. mutans in compare with Cur.

A case of fatal disseminated strongyloidiasis accompanied with intestinal obstruction

Strongyloides stercoralis is an endemic parasite in some regions including the tropical and subtropical areas with high humidity. Most infections are asymptomatic with nonspecific signs and symptoms, making the final diagnosis complicated. Here, we report a patient referred to our hospital with signs consistent with sepsis, intestine obstruction, which finally died with the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis. The patient was from northern parts of Iran which are considered as endemic areas for S. stercoralis. In conclusion, there is an important message in this history, i.e. physicians should be aware of specific and non-specific signs of strongyloidiasis especially in people living in endemic areas to make an accurate final diagnosis by proper clinical and paraclinical examinations.

Potent antileishmanial activity of chitosan against Iranian strain of Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER): In vitro and in vivo assay

Background & objectives

Leishmaniasis is one of the major neglected zoonotic parasitic diseases whose treatment and control is very complex. Pentavalent antimonials remain the primary drugs against different forms of leishmaniasis, however, resistance to antimony and its toxic effects has necessitated the development of alternative medications such as use of medicinal plants and natural compounds. The aim of the current study was to assess the in vitro and in vivo activities of chitosan as a natural resource against Leishmania major.

Methods

Low molecular weight chitosan, with 95% degree of deacetylation was melted in normal saline to a final concentration of 50, 100, 200 and 400 μg/ml. Then, the promastigotes of L. major (Iranian strain) were added to the wells of 96-well plate and 20 μl of each concentration was added to the RPMI 1640 medium. Live and dead promastigotes were counted after adding 0.1% eosin stain. The efficacy of the chitosan was also examined in BALB/c mice infected with Iranian strain of L. major. All in vitro experiments were performed in triplicate and the results of in vitro and in vivo tests were compared to the acetic acid and NaOH as negative control and glucantime as positive control.

Results

The low molecular weight chitosan was completely effective at concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 μg/ml on promastigotes of L. major after 180 min of application. Moreover, in the in vivo study, the mean size of dermal lesions significantly decreased in the groups treated with the chitosan compared to the control group.

Interpretation & conclusion

According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that chitosan is a potent active compound against L. major and could be evaluated as a new antileishmanial drug in the future.

Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Chitosan in Integument of Cockroaches

Because of the drug resistance and toxic side effects observed following administration of many antibacterial drugs, novel strategies are highly needed for treatment of bacterial diseases. Chitosan important immune system stimulators, is found in cockroaches who are living in contaminated sites. this substance appears to help the cockroaches strongly deal with pathogens. The aim of this study was to extract thechitosan from nymph and adult stage of both Blattella germanica and Preplenta amercana and evaluate its antibactral and antifungal activities. To demineralize the insect's integument powder, HCl 1 normal was used. In addition, the process of deproteination was performed by using(for transformation integument powder into chitin )NaOH 1normal. Subsequently, by NaOH 50% chitin was deastelated[F1] to chitosan. Finally chitosan was dissolved in lactic acid 1 % and preserved until the time of antitrichomonal and antifungal activity examinations.. Chitosan extracted from cockroaches shows beneficial effects on Gram + bacterias. For instance, it has shown powerful impacts on E.Coli and Estafilococos oreous, but not on fungi. The current study revealed that chitosan has excellent antibacterial activities and could be considered as a new approach to fight various bacterial agents. Chitosan is also was effective against Fungi (in a high pH environment) Furthermore, we identified biochemical processes resulted in chitin deacetylation to chitosan within the insect's body. There are evidence showing that the blockage of chitin makes the insects much more vulnerable to microbial infections.

Evaluation of Anticancer Activity of Camellia Sinensis in the Caco-2 Colorectal Cancer Cell Line

Background:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is widespread across the world. While conventional anticancer treatments can help the affected patients, cells of vital organs such as the kidney, lungs, bladder and nervous system may suffer from side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, so that it is necessary to search for alternatives. From ancient times, attention has focused on medicinal plants and natural products. In the current work, Camellia sinensis, whose leaves are used to produce green tea was evaluated for anticancer effects in cell culture.

Materials and Methods:

A hydroalcoholic extract of Camellia sinensis young leaves was prepared by percolation and compared with Cisplatin as a known anticancer drug for effects on two cell lines: Caco-2, colon carcinoma cells, and mouse normal fibroblasts (L929). Cytotoxicity of 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 µg/ml of Camellia sinensis extract was evaluated by MTT assay and aquaporin 5 (AQP5), detected as a biomarker for surviving cells using immunofluorescence microscopy.

Results:

MTT assays with hydroalcoholic extract of Camellia sinensis showed considerable inhibition of growth of Caco-2 cells, significant at 800 µg/ml (P<0.05), with little effect on L929 cells. Levels of aquaporin 5 protein decreased in Caco-2 cell culture following green tea extract treatment.

Conclusion:

According to the results of the current study, Camellia sinensis is a medicinal plant with potent anticancer influence which might be specific.

Serological evidence of human cystic echinococcosis and associated risk factors among general population in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran

The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of CE among human referring to Health Centers in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran and to identify the risk factors involved in spreading the disease. Between 2013 and 2014, the serum samples were taken randomly from 600 subjects referring to health centers in Mazandaran Province. After obtaining informed consent for each participant, a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and associated risk factors was filled for each individual. Anti-CE antibody was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using native antigen B. Our results showed 31.6% (n = 190) seropositivity. There were significant difference between seropositivity and sex and residence. Males were significantly more seropositive than females (24.6% versus 7%, P = 0.0001). Regression analysis showed that the subjects who are living in rural areas were 4.4 times more likely to be at risk to CE than urban areas (OR = 4.4; 95% CI = 2.91, 6.64). Contact with dogs, soil and consumed raw vegetables was appeared as main risk factors for CE among community in Mazandaran and it may increase the probability of infection. The high prevalence of CE among individuals indicated that hydatidosis is still a major health problem among community in the investigated areas.

Scolicidal activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles against Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices

Cystic hydatid disease (CHD), a helminth infection with various clinical complications caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus is considered as a public health problem in different regions of the world. To date, scolicidal agents have been broadly applied for inactivation of the fertile cysts and these scolicidal agents have several side effects on patients. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the scolicidal efficacies of synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from the aqueous aerial extract of Penicillium aculeatum against protoscolices of CHD in-vitro. Protoscolices were aseptically aspirated from infected livers of sheep with CHD. Various concentrations (0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 mg/mL) of green synthesis of Ag-NPs and different exposure times (10, 30, 60 and 120 min) were used against protoscolices of CHD. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. The findings showed that the Ag-NPs at all concentrations have high scolicidal effects. The concentrations 0.1 and 0.15 mg/mL after 120 min of exposure times showed 83% and 90% mortality rate, respectively. The least scolicidal activity of biosynthesized Ag-NPs was 40% (0.025 mg/mL and 10 min). The current investigation indicated that applying biogenic Ag-NPs may be considered as a potential scolicidal agent for CHD surgery due to being economical, safer and non-toxic compared to the used chemical materials. However, further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of Ag-NPs in vivo.

Actividad anti-Toxoplasma de extractos metanólicos de frutos y hojas de Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae)

<p><em>Toxoplasma gondii </em>is an obligatory intracellular parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans. Considering the severity of toxoplasmosis, side effects of current treatments, and the contribution of the ethnopharmacological knowledge for the treatment of parasitic infections, the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of methanolic extracts from the fruits and leaves of <em>Sambucus nigra </em>against tachyzoite of <em>T. gondii</em>. For this, fruits and leaves of <em>S. nigra </em>were collected from Mazandaran province, Iran, were dried under the shade, and powdered using a commercial electrical blender. For extractions, methanol was used as solvent. Virulent RH strain of <em>T. gondii</em> was maintained in mice and macrophages containing tachyzoites were aspirated from the peritoneal cavity. Four concentrations (5, 10, 25 and 50mg/mL) of <em>S. nigra </em>extract were incubated with infected macrophages for 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes and the viability of the tachyzoites were evaluated by trypan blue staining. Results showed that <em>S. nigra </em>fruit extracts at the concentrations of 5 and 10mg/mL killed 100% of <em>T. gondii</em> tachyzoites after 60 and 120 minutes, respectively; and concentrations of 25 and 50mg/mL killed 100% of the tachyzoites after 30 minutes. Additionally, extract of <em>S. nigra</em> leaves, at the concentrations of 5, 10 and 25mg/mLafter 180 minutes, and concentration of 50mg/mLafter 60 minutes, resulted with the highest efficacy. Our results showed that <em>S. nigra</em> has acceptable efficacy <em>in vitro</em> and the parasiticidal effect of fruit extract was significantly better than leaf extract. However, <em>in vivo</em> efficacy of this extract needs further investigation.</p>