Trichinella spiralis: A new parasitic target for curcumin nanoformulas in mice models

• Published in: Parasitology international 2024-02, Vol.98, p.102810-102810, Article 102810
• Main Authors: Khedr, Safaa Ibrahim, Gomaa, Maha Mohamed, Mogahed, Nermine Mogahed Fawzy Hussien, Gamea, Ghada A., Khodear, Gehan A.M., Sheta, Eman, Soliman, Nada A.H., El Saadany, Amira A., Salama, Amina M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CD31; Chitosan; Curcumin; MDA; Nanoemulsion; Trichinella spiralis
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102810

Trichinosis spiralis is a global disease with significant economic impact. Albendazole is the current-treatment. Yet, the world-widely emerging antimicrobial resistance necessitates search for therapeutic substitutes. Curcumin is a natural compound with abundant therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of crude-curcumin, chitosan and for the first time curcumin-nano-emulsion and curcumin-loaded-chitosan-nanoparticles against Trichinella spiralis adults and larvae in acute and chronic trichinosis models. Trichinosis spiralis was induced in 96 Swiss-albino mice. Infected mice were divided into 2 groups. Group I constituted the acute model, where treatment started 2 h after infection for 5 successive days. Group II constituted the chronic model, where treatment started at the 30th day-post-infection and continued for 10 successive days (Refer to graphical abstract). Each group contained 8 subgroups that were designated Ia-Ih and IIa-IIh and included; a; Untreated-control, b; Albendazole-treated (Alb-treated), c; Crude-curcumin-treated (Cur-treated), d; Curcumin-nanoemulsion-treated (Cur-NE-treated), e; Albendazole and crude-curcumin-treated (Alb-Cur-treated), f; Albendazole and curcumin-nanoemulsion-treated (Alb-Cur-NE-treated), g; Chitosan-nanoparticles-treated (CS-NPs-treated) and h; Curcumin-loaded-chitosan-nanoparticles-treated (Cur-CS-NPs-treated). Additionally, six mice constituted control-uninfected group III. The effects of the used compounds on the parasite tegument, in-vivo parasitic load-worm burden, local pathology and MDA concentration in small intestines of acutely-infected and skeletal muscle of chronically-infected mice were studied. Results showed that albendazole was effective, yet, its combination with Cur-NE showed significant potentiation against adult worms and muscle larvae and alleviated the pathology in both models. Cur-CS-NPs exhibited promising results in both models. Crude-curcumin showed encouraging results especially against muscle larvae on long-term use. Treatments effectively reduced parasite load, local MDA level and CD31 expression with anti-inflammatory effect in intestine and muscle sections. [Display omitted] •Different curcumin nanoforms were tried against Trichinella spiralis adults and larvae.•Crude curcumin was more effective against muscle larvae.•Curcumin nanoemulsion greatly potentiated albendazole therapeutic effect in both models.•Curcumin-loaded-chitosan nanoparticles exhibited promising