Abstract
Nanoparticles can act as drug carriers that can modulate pharmacokinetics, increase bioavailability and target release with minimal toxic effects. The present work aimed to assess the therapeutic effect and electron microscopic changes of Nigella sativa loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles (NSLCN) on adult Schistosoma mansoni in vitro. Adult worms were removed from the portal and mesenteric veins of infected mice after 90 days, and then three to five mature worms including both sexes were cultured. Schistosoma adult was exposed to NSLCN at concentrations of (10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 μg/ml) for 24, and 48 h. Examination for worm viability was done after 24, and 48 h using a stereomicroscope comparing with control negative and control positive groups. The mortality rate in worms reached 88.9% in the group treated with 100 μg and 80 and 84.6% in groups treated with 80 and 60 μg respectively (p-value <0.001). After 48 h of incubation with the same concentration, there were variable effects on motility and death of worms, the death rate reached 100% in all groups treated with nanoparticles. After 24 h incubation, the live worms have sluggish motility and reached dead score at 48 h of incubation. By (SEM) there were tegumental changes of both dead male and female in the form of loss of spines, swollen suckers and swollen inter tubercular ridges in male and loss of smooth architecture of female tegument with multiple pores. In conclusion, NSLCN appears as a new potential candidate drug against schistosomiasis. We successfully applied nanoemulsion preparation against the adult stage of S. mansoni in vitro. Key words: Schistosoma mansoni, Nigella sativa, chitosan nanoparticles, scanning electron microscope.  
Highlights
Schistosomiasis has been estimated to infect more than 207 million people with 779 million people at risk of infection (Steinmann et al, 2006)
chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) were made-up with the drop wise adding about 5 ml of the chitosan solution to 2 ml of TPP solution under 1000 rpm magnetic stirring for 1 h at room temperature
After 48 h of incubation with the same concentration and there was the death of all worms to reach 100% in all groups treated with Nigella sativa loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles (NSLCN)
Summary
Schistosomiasis has been estimated to infect more than 207 million people with 779 million people at risk of infection (Steinmann et al, 2006). Schistosomiasis represents a major public health problem in about 78 tropical and subtropical countries with the majority (up to 90%) of the cases are located mainly in sub-Saharan Africa (WHO, 2013). The development of resistant strains has been reported, leading to schistosomiasis treatment failure that highlighted the importance of developing new and more effective drugs for this disease (De Moraes et al, 2013). In the last years, important efforts have been made in the search for new active compounds against Schistosoma, mainly those obtained from plants (Allegretti et al, 2012). Promising studies have been developed for the use of natural compounds derived from plant extracts as drugs against Schistosoma spp., being safe and with less medical side effects (Parreira et al, 2010)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
