Scolicidal effect and hemolytic activity of chitosan nanoparticles against protoscoleces of hydatid cysts

Introduction and objective: Surgery is the preferred treatment for Cystic echinococcosis (CE, hydatid cyst), a parasitic infection caused by the metacestode stage of Echinococcus granulosus as a major public health concern worldwide. Although most patients can be managed effectively with surgical treatment, up to 20 % experience disease recurrences due to spillage of hydatid fluid cyst (containing metacestode stage). Various scolicidal agents have been applied for inactivation of protoscoleces while they are associated with adverse side effects. Thus, the developed sclocidal agents with minimum side effects is an urgent need for surgeons. This study aimed to produce chitosan nanoparticles as a novel scolicidal agent. Materials and Methods : chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized by ionic gelation method and characterized the physicochemical properties of them by using DLS, FTIR and SEM. Scolicidal and cytotoxicity activities of the synthesized nanoparticles at different concentration (125-1000 μg/ml) and incubation time (10-180 min) were determined by eosin staining and the hemolytic activity, respectively. Results: FTIR spectra revealed that the chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized. The size of chitosan nanoparticles was in the range of 160–255 nm with spherical shape, the zeta potential and PDI value of the nanoparticles was approximately +42 ± 2.08 and 0.388 ± .034 respectively. The Significant difference between the scolicidal effects of chitosan nanoparticles was observed for all concentrations and various exposure times in comparison to the control group and highest scolicidal activity was observed at 1000 μg/ml after 180 min. Furthermore, the hemolytic activity was negligible at all concentration of the chitosan nanoparticles. Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, it is anticipated this novel agent has the potential of becoming a safe and efficient natural scolicidal agent. However further studies are recommended to evaluate the in vivo efficacy and cytotoxicity before clinical application.

کلیدواژه ها:

Chitosan nanoparticles ، Echinococcus granulosus ، Hydatid disease ، Protoscoleces