Anti-parasitic Applications of Nanoparticles

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2024 | Viewed by 1995

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of New Nanostructured and Functional Materials, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió 57072-900, AL, Brazil
Interests: nanomaterials; biotechnology

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Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-180, MG, Brazil
Interests: nanotechnologies; immunology; parasitic diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Parasitic infections pose a significant public health concern, characterized by elevated morbidity and mortality rates and affecting millions of individuals across the globe. Addressing parasitic diseases proves to be an arduous task, as evidenced by the ongoing transmission and the substantial mortality rates associated with these conditions. Current therapeutic protocols predominantly rely on the application of conventional chemical agents or natural compounds, most of which have become outdated. There is a pressing need for enhancements to overcome various challenges, including low drug bioavailability, inadequate drug accumulation in microbial sanctuaries and reservoirs, rising drug resistance, and diminished patient adherence due to drug-induced toxicities and protracted treatment regimens. Notably, several types of nanoparticles have shown promise as therapeutic and adjunctive interventions for parasitic diseases. The primary objective of this Special Issue is to disseminate research articles that showcase advancements in anti-parasitic applications of nanoparticles, with a specific focus on:

  • Nano-based therapies for parasitic diseases;
  • Nanotechnologies used for drug development;
  • Nanoparticle–parasite interactions;
  • Nanoparticle applications to reduce drug-resistance.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Anielle Christine Almeida Silva
Prof. Dr. Marcos Vinícius Da Silva
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanoparticles
  • parasitic diseases
  • drug resistance
  • nanodelivery systems
  • nanoemulsion

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 2033 KiB  
Article
Goethite and Hematite Nanoparticles Show Promising Anti-Toxoplasma Properties
by Kosei Ishii, Eiji Akahoshi, Oluyomi Stephen Adeyemi, Hironori Bando, Yasuhiro Fukuda, Tomoyuki Ogawa and Kentaro Kato
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(3), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16030413 - 18 Mar 2024
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasitic protozoan with a high infection rate in mammals, including humans, and birds. There is no effective vaccine, and treatment relies on antiparasitic drugs. However, existing antiprotozoal drugs have strong side effects and other problems; therefore, new treatment [...] Read more.
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasitic protozoan with a high infection rate in mammals, including humans, and birds. There is no effective vaccine, and treatment relies on antiparasitic drugs. However, existing antiprotozoal drugs have strong side effects and other problems; therefore, new treatment approaches are needed. Metal nanoparticles have attracted increased interest in the biomedical community in recent years because of their extremely high surface area to volume ratio and their unique reactivity that could be exploited for medicinal purposes. Previously, we confirmed the anti-Toxoplasma effects of gold, silver, and platinum nanoparticles, in a growth inhibition test. Here, we asked whether the anti-Toxoplasma effect could be confirmed with less expensive metal nanoparticles, specifically iron oxide nanoparticles (goethite and hematite). To improve the selective action of the nanoparticles, we modified the surface with l-tryptophan as our previous findings showed that the bio-modification of nanoparticles enhances their selectivity against T. gondii. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the successful coating of the iron oxide nanoparticles with l-tryptophan. Subsequently, cytotoxicity and growth inhibition assays were performed. L-tryptophan-modified nanoparticles showed superior anti-Toxoplasma action compared to their naked nanoparticle counterparts. L-tryptophan enhanced the selective toxicity of the iron oxide nanoparticles toward T. gondii. The bio-modified nanoparticles did not exhibit detectable host cell toxicity in the effective anti-Toxoplasma doses. To elucidate whether reactive oxygen species contribute to the anti-Toxoplasma action of the bio-modified nanoparticles, we added Trolox antioxidant to the assay medium and found that Trolox appreciably reduced the nanoparticle-induced growth inhibition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anti-parasitic Applications of Nanoparticles)
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20 pages, 4273 KiB  
Article
Design of Liquid Formulation Based on F127-Loaded Natural Dimeric Flavonoids as a New Perspective Treatment for Leishmaniasis
by Camila Silva da Costa, Estela Mesquita Marques, Jessyane Rodrigues do Nascimento, Victor Antônio Silva Lima, Ralph Santos-Oliveira, Aline Santana Figueredo, Caroline Martins de Jesus, Glécilla Colombelli de Souza Nunes, Clenilma Marques Brandão, Edson Tobias de Jesus, Mayara Coelho Sa, Auro Atsushi Tanaka, Gustavo Braga, Ana Caroline Ferreira Santos, Roberto Batista de Lima, Lucilene Amorim Silva, Luciana Magalhães Rebelo Alencar, Cláudia Quintino da Rocha and Renato Sonchini Gonçalves
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(2), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16020252 - 8 Feb 2024
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Abstract
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (IPD) remain a challenge for medicine due to several interconnected reasons, such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is an overlooked IPD causing persistent skin ulcers that are challenging to heal, resulting in disfiguring scars. Moreover, it [...] Read more.
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (IPD) remain a challenge for medicine due to several interconnected reasons, such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is an overlooked IPD causing persistent skin ulcers that are challenging to heal, resulting in disfiguring scars. Moreover, it has the potential to extend from the skin to the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and throat in both humans and various animals. Given the limited effectiveness and AMR of current drugs, the exploration of new substances has emerged as a promising alternative for ATL treatment. Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC). Bureau is a native Brazilian plant rich in dimeric flavonoids, including Brachydin (BRA), which displays antimicrobial activity, but still little has been explored regarding the development of therapeutic formulations. In this work, we present the design of a low-cost liquid formulation based on the use of Pluronic F127 for encapsulation of high BRA concentration (LF-B500). The characterization techniques revealed that BRA-loaded F127 micelles are well-stabilized in an unusual worm-like form. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that LF-B500 was non-toxic to macrophages but efficient in the inactivation of forms of Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes with IC50 of 16.06 µg/mL. The results demonstrated that LF-B500 opened a new perspective on the use of liquid formulation-based natural products for ATL treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anti-parasitic Applications of Nanoparticles)
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