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In vitro evaluation of albendazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers on Echinococcus granulosus microcysts and their prophylactic efficacy on experimental secondary hydatidosis

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Abstract

To enhance the therapeutic effects of albendazole (ABZ) on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces and metacestodes, ABZ-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (ABZ–NLCs) are prepared by the hot high-speed homogenization method. Protoscoleces and microcysts were treated in vitro with free ABZ and ABZ–NLCs (concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 μg/ml), and the corresponding effects were monitored by methylene blue exclusion test and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Chemoprophylactic treatment was performed on Balb/C mice 1 day before intraperitoneal injection of viable protoscoleces. The drugs were administered daily by intragastric inoculation for a period of 30 days. The prophylactic efficacy was assessed based on the number and weight of cysts developed in treated mice. The ultrastructural alterations in cysts were examined by transmission electron microscopy. After 18 days, all the protoscoleces incubated with 10 μg/ml ABZ–NLCs were killed, while 51.25 ± 4.03% of the protoscoleces incubated with 10 μg/ml free ABZ were still viable. Microcysts treated with ABZ–NLCs underwent degenerative alterations in a shorter time than when free ABZ was applied. The mean weight of the cysts recovered from mice of ABZ–NLCs group was significantly lower than that of the free ABZ group (P < 0.05), yielding prophylactic efficacy of 92.45% and 38.53%, respectively. The cysts treated with ABZ–NLCs showed marked ultrastructural changes in the germinal layer. This study demonstrated that both in vitro and in vivo treatments with ABZ–NLCs are significantly more efficient than treatment with free ABZ against E. granulosus protoscoleces, metacestodes, and prevention of cyst development in mice.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our gratitude to Dr. Pirhajati for his helpful comments on transmission electron microscopy analysis.

Funding

This research was financially supported by a grant (no. A-12–95-11) from the Research Vice Chancellery of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, End of Mahdavi Blvd., Shahrak Karmandan, 4513956111, Zanjan, Iran

    Mehdi Farhadi & Ali Haniloo

  2. Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

    Kobra Rostamizadeh & Nahid Ahmadi

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  1. Mehdi Farhadi
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  2. Ali Haniloo
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  3. Kobra Rostamizadeh
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  4. Nahid Ahmadi
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Correspondence to Ali Haniloo.

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This research was approved by ethics committee of ZUMS (Code: IR.ZUMS.REC.1396.314).

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Farhadi, M., Haniloo, A., Rostamizadeh, K. et al. In vitro evaluation of albendazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers on Echinococcus granulosus microcysts and their prophylactic efficacy on experimental secondary hydatidosis. Parasitol Res 120, 4049–4060 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07343-0

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