Promising therapeutic efficacy of nitazoxanide-loaded zinc oxide nano-formula against intestinal and muscular phases of experimental trichinellosis

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Hagras N.A.-E.; Hegab F.; Atta S.; Gadallah R.A.; Elsayed Y.; Khodear G.A.M.

Journal: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Publisher: Public Library of Science

Publication Date: 18 July 2025

Volume / Issue: Volume 19 / Issue 7

Article No.: e0013239

ISSN: 19352727

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013239

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 40679976

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Hagras N.A.-E., Medical School Program and Pharmacy Program, Alexandria National University, Alexandria, Egypt, Alexandria University Hospitals, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Hegab F., Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Atta S., Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Gadallah R.A., Department of Clinical Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Elsayed Y., Hochschule Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Köthen, Germany; Khodear G.A.M., Medical Technology Center, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Trichinellosis is a ubiquitous parasitic infection caused by a zoonotic nematode known as Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis). It starts with the adult worm in the intestinal phase and ends up with the larva reaching the muscles. The disease generally manifests with acute gastroenteritis; however, it may regrettably lead to life-threatening myositis, myocarditis and seizures. The commercially existing chemotherapeutic regimens have numerous drawbacks including severe adverse effects, high resistance rate, poor bioavailability and low efficiency towards the muscular stage. Consequently, the current study targeted the evaluation of nitazoxanide-loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles (NTZ-loaded ZnO NPs) used for the first time in the treatment of both the intestinal and muscular phases of trichinellosis in mice. Swiss Albino mice were orally infected by 250 T. spiralis larvae. The experimental animals were treated with the gold standard albendazole, NTZ, ZnO NPs as well as NTZ-loaded ZnO NPs. Parasitological, biochemical (creatine kinase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide), immunological (interleukins 2 and 4) and histopathological assessments were conducted. The parasitological results denoted that the mice treated with NTZ-loaded ZnO NPs revealed the uppermost significant drug efficacy (>97%) in both the intestinal and muscular phases indicating efficacious tissue penetration. Additionally, this group revealed the most profound amelioration of the biochemical and immunological markers as well as restoration of the histopathological picture. Conclusively, the present work implied a bird’s eye view on the promising effectiveness of NTZ-loaded ZnO NPs in the treatment of murine trichinellosis relying on the anti-parasitic safe nature of the formulation. © 2025 Hagras et al.

Keywords

Albendazole; Animals; Anthelmintics; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Intestines; Mice; Muscles; Nanoparticles; Nitro Compounds; Thiazoles; Trichinella spiralis; Trichinellosis; Zinc Oxide; alanine aminotransferase; alkaline phosphatase; aspartate aminotransferase; creatine kinase; gamma interferon; malonaldehyde; nitazoxanide; nitric oxide; zinc oxide nanoparticle; anthelmintic agent; nanoparticle; nitro derivative; thiazole derivative; abdominal pain; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; Article; controlled study; diarrhea; drug efficacy; drug formulation; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; heart failure; histopathology; liver injury; male; mouse; myalgia; nonhuman; oxidative stress; transmission electron microscopy; trichinosis; vomiting; X ray diffraction; animal; chemistry; disease model; drug effect; drug therapy; intestine; muscle; parasitology; pathology

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 4

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