The potential effects of silver and gold nanoparticles as molluscicides and cercaricides on Schistosoma mansoni

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Moustafa M.A.; Mossalem H.S.; Sarhan R.M.; Abdel-Rahman A.A.; Hassan E.M.

Journal: Parasitology Research

Publisher: Springer Verlag

Publication Date: 3 October 2018

Volume / Issue: Volume 117 / Issue 12

Pages: 3867–3880

ISSN: 9320113

DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6093-2

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 30280220

Document Type: Article

Authors and Affiliations

Moustafa M.A., Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Mossalem H.S., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Sarhan R.M., Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Abdel-Rahman A.A., Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Hassan E.M., Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Schistosomiasis seriously affects human health in tropical regions. Its prevention is more important than treatment, raising the need for effective control methods. Recently, the role of nanomaterials in medical science has been growing. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae in vitro and to assess their effects on the infectivity of cercariae in vivo. The in vitro study proved that Ag and Au NPs were effective in killing B. alexandrina snails, with 30 μg/ml Ag and 160 μg/ml Au causing 100% mortality. The LC50 of 9.68 μg/ml for Ag NPs and 133.7 μg/ml for Au NPs prevented snail infection with S. mansoni miracidia. Furthermore, Ag NPs at 50 μg/ml and Au NPs at 100 μg/ml increased the mortality of S. mansoni cercariae in a dose- and time-dependent manner, reaching 100% mortality after 1 h. The in vivo study found that Ag NPs prevented the occurrence of infection when cercariae were treated before the infection by either the tail immersion (TI) or subcutaneous (SC) route, as proven by parasitological parameters and by the absence of granuloma formation in hepatic tissue. Meanwhile, infection of mice by untreated cercariae followed by treatment with NPs 1 h post-infection (PI) caused a decrease in egg count/g intestine and egg count/g liver in the TI-infected group only. The oogram patterns and granuloma formation results were similar between infection control and the SC-infected group. On the other hand, Au NPs led to a decrease in total worm burden (TWB) in all tested groups, with a decrease in egg count/g intestine and egg count/g liver in TI-infected groups with either pre-treated or post-treated cercariae, in contrast to SC-infected groups. However, the oogram patterns and granuloma formation showed similar results to infection control. Ag and Au NPs have potential as molluscicides and cercaricides in vitro and can prevent or modulate the infectivity of cercariae in vivo. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Keywords

Biomphalaria alexandrina; Cercaria; In vitro; In vivo; Miracidium; Schistosoma mansoni; Silver- gold- nano; Animals; Biomphalaria; Gold; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Liver; Metal Nanoparticles; Mice; Molluscacides; Parasite Egg Count; Parasite Load; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Silver; antischistosomal agent; cercaricide; gold nanoparticle; molluscacide; silver nanoparticle; unclassified drug; metal nanoparticle; animal experiment; animal model; Article; controlled study; granuloma; in vitro study; in vivo study; LC50; mortality; mouse; nonhuman; priority journal; schistosomiasis; time-dependent inhibition; worm burden; animal; drug effect; human; parasitology; subcutaneous drug administration

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 45

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