Black seed oil nanoemulsion containing albendazole against protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus: An in vivo study

Objective(s): Hydatid cysts are typically treated with albendazole. Nevertheless, this drug has side effects and limited bioavailability. In this study, we aimed to explore a nanoemulsion of black seed oil to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of albendazole in mice with hydatid cysts. Materials and Methods: The size of the prepared nanoemulsions was characterized using a Zetasizer analyzer. Additionally, the stability of the nanoemulsions was assessed after ۴۵ days. MTT assay was used to compare the cytotoxicity of free albendazole, nanoemulsion containing albendazole, and nanoemulsion without albendazole. Furthermore, infected mice were treated with these preparations, euthanized, and subjected to autopsy examination. Cysts obtained from mice were examined for histopathological features. Results: ALB-NE (albendazole-loaded nanoemulsion) DLS results were obtained from black seed oil. Freshly prepared ALB-NE showed (d۵۰ = ۱۷۰ nm), PDI: ۰.۳۲۳, ALB-NE after ۴۵ days storage at ۲۵ ºC were (d۵۰ = ۹۲.۴ nm), and ALB-NE after ۴۵ days storage at ۴۵ ºC revealed (d۵۰ = ۱۱۸ nm). The cytotoxicity of albendazole was reduced when loaded into the nanoemulsion. Moreover, the group treated with nanoemulsion containing albendazole showed a significant decrease in size and number of cysts compared to those receiving free albendazole or nanoemulsion without the drug. Additionally, after ۶۰ days, the nanoemulsion containing albendazole showed ۱۰۰% survival, while the survival rate was ۵۰% for free albendazole, ۷۵% for nanoemulsion without albendazole, and ۳۷.۵% for PBS. Conclusion: The nanoemulsion containing albendazole can be a promising treatment for hydatid cysts.

کلیدواژه ها:

Albendazole ، Echinococcus granulosus ، hydatid cysts ، Hydatidosis ، Nanoemulsions ، Nigella Sativa