Chitosan and silver nanoparticles: Promising anti-toxoplasma agents

• Published in: Experimental parasitology 2014-08, Vol.143, p.30-38
• Main Authors: Gaafar, M.R., Mady, R.F., Diab, R.G., Shalaby, Th.I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Chitosan - administration & dosage; Chitosan - pharmacology; Chitosan - therapeutic use; Chitosan nanoparticles; Coccidiostats - administration & dosage; Coccidiostats - pharmacology; Coccidiostats - therapeutic use; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Interferon-gamma - blood; Liver - parasitology; Male; Metal Nanoparticles - therapeutic use; Metal Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Pyrimethamine - pharmacology; Pyrimethamine - therapeutic use; Silver - administration & dosage; Silver - pharmacology; Silver - therapeutic use; Silver nanoparticles; Spleen - parasitology; Toxoplasma - drug effects; Toxoplasma - growth & development; Toxoplasma - ultrastructure; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasmosis - drug therapy; Toxoplasmosis - parasitology
• ISSN: 0014-4894; 1090-2449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.05.005

We evaluate the chitosan and silver nanoparticles as prophylaxis and treatment for experimental toxoplasmosis. [Display omitted] •Animals receiving the nanoparticle compounds showed decrease in the number of the parasite count in organs.•Light and scanning electron microscopic examinations of the peritoneal exudates of animals showed mutilated organisms.•Gamma interferon was increased in the serum of animals receiving these compounds.•All values of silver detected in different tissues were within the safe range. Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide infection caused by obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which is Toxoplasma gondii. Chitosan and silver nanoparticles were synthesized to be evaluated singly or combined for their anti-toxoplasma effects as prophylaxis and as treatment in the experimental animals. Results were assessed through studying the parasite density and the ultrastructural parasite changes, and estimation of serum gamma interferon. Weight of tissue silver was assessed in different organs. Results showed that silver nanoparticles used singly or combined with chitosan have promising anti-toxoplasma potentials. The animals that received these compounds showed statistically significant decrease in the mean number of the parasite count in the liver and the spleen, when compared to the corresponding control group. Light microscopic examination of the peritoneal exudates of animals receiving these compounds showed stoppage of movement and deformity in shape of the tachyzoites, whereas, by scanning electron microscope, the organisms were mutilated. Moreover, gamma interferon was increased in the serum of animals receiving these compounds. All values of silver detected in different tissues were within the safe range. Thus, these nanoparticles proved their effectiveness against the experimental Toxoplasma infection.