In vivo efficiency evaluation of nitazoxanide with cationic and amphoteric surfactants on murine cryptosporidiosis: parasitological, and histopathological studies

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Ahmed Z.; Kandeel E.M.; Badr E.E.; Aboushousha T.; El-Ashkar A.M.; Sadek M.; Abdelmaksoud H.F.

Journal: Journal of Parasitic Diseases

Publisher: Springer

Publication Date: 17 July 2025

Volume / Issue: Volume 49 / Issue 4

Pages: 1068–1085

ISSN: 9717196

DOI: 10.1007/s12639-025-01816-0

Scopus: View on Scopus

Document Type: Article

Authors and Affiliations

Ahmed Z., Department of Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University for Girls in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt; Kandeel E.M., Department of Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University for Girls in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt; Badr E.E., Department of Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University for Girls in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt; Aboushousha T., Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; El-Ashkar A.M., Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Sadek M., Department of Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University for Girls in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt; Abdelmaksoud H.F., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis in humans is a major contributor to diarrheal epidemics that are spread through water and have a significant impact on a global scale. Nitazoxanide (NTZ) is still the only FDA-approved drug against cryptosporidiosis, but unfortunately, it has poor water solubility and bioavailability that greatly affect its efficacy. This study aimed to test the efficacy of NTZ when used in combination with cationic and amphoteric surfactants on murine cryptosporidiosis. Fifty-four white albino female mice were separated into nine groups, with each group containing six mice that had compromised immune systems. GI: normal non-infected non-treated (healthy control). GII: infected, non-treated (infected control); GIII–GXI: infected with Cryptosporidium species oocyst and treated with: GIII: NTZ (NTZ), GIV: cationic surfactant [3-(dodecyl(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)amino)-N,N,N-triethyl-2-hydroxypropan-1-aminium chloride (GDCS)]; GV: amphoteric surfactant [sodium 3-(dodecyl(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)amino)-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate (GDAS)]; GVI: NTZ and GDCS; GVII: NTZ and GDAS; GVIII: NTZ and GDCS in a critical micelle concentration (CMC); GIX: NTZ and GDAS in CMC. Parasitological, and histopathological, examinations were done. Parasitological examination revealed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) between the different test and control groups. GIX showed the best results, with the highest percentage of reduction of oocysts in the stool (98.21%) which was statistically significant from other test and control groups. Histopathological examination revealed marked improvement in small intestinal villi, liver, and lung tissues when NTZ was used in combination with GDCS, and GDAS, especially with GDAS CMC. Therefore, surfactant could be an excellent adjuvant therapy when combined with NTZ in the treatment of cryptosporidiosis, especially GDAS CMC. © Indian Society for Parasitology 2025.

Keywords

Cryptosporidiosis; Immunosuppression; Nitazoxanide; Surfactant; amphoteric surfactant; cationic surfactant; dexamethasone sodium phosphate; dexazone; nanazoxid; unclassified drug; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; Article; bioavailability; controlled study; critical micelle concentration; Cryptosporidium; female; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; histopathology; human; human cell; immunosuppressive treatment; in vivo study; mouse; murine cryptosporidiosis; nonhuman; nuclear magnetic resonance; parasitology; scanning electron microscopy; spectroscopy; transmission electron microscopy

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0

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