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Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains a major health threatening disease in Iran and many countries around the world. Antimony compounds are currently used to treat CL. Due to the side effects and high resistance, the use of alternative therapies, especially the use of nanoparticles, has been considered by researchers. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-leishmanial activity of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on Leishmania major in vitro. Methods: In this experimental study, the anti-leishmanial activity of the SeNPs was evaluated at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL at exposure times of 24, 48, and 72 hours on 106 live parasites. Then, the number of live parasites was counted by trypan blue using a neobar slide and light microscope (Hemocytometer method). Glucantime and distilled water were considered positive and negative controls, respectively. Then, 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were calculated by SigmaPlot™ 13 software. All reactions were performed in triplicate, and the results were considered as average. Results: The results of this study revealed that all concentrations of SeNPs have anti-leishmanial activity. The concentration of 100 µg/mL of SeNPs had the highest anti-leishmanial effect (100%) after 72 hours of exposure. Further, the IC50 content of SeNPs on L. major after 24, 48, and 72 hours was calculated to be 42.76, 34.53, and 22.69 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: The results indicated that SeNPs in different concentrations has an inhibitory effect on the growth of L. major. However, further investigations are required to determine the efficacy of SeNPs in vivo.

(C. longa) rhizome extract has been traditionally used to treat many infections. Curcumin, a pure compound isolated from the plant, has been documented to possess a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Thai medicinal plant extracts including C. longa extract and Curcumin on Acanthamoeba triangularis, a causative agent of human Acanthamoeba keratitis. The parasite was isolated from the recreational reservoir at Walailak University, Thailand. The organism was identified as A. triangularis using morphology and 18S rDNA nucleotide sequences. The pathogen was tested for their susceptibility to ethanol extracts of Thai medicinal plants based on eye infection treatment. The ethanol C. longa extract showed the strongest anti-Acanthamoeba activity against both the trophozoites and cysts, followed by Coscinium fenestratum, Coccinia grandis, and Acmella oleracea extracts, respectively. After 24 h, 95% reduction of trophozoite viability was significantly decreased following the treatment with C. longa extract at 125 µg/mL, compared with the control (P

Background Echinococcus granulosus is causative agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE), which has a cosmopolitan distribution. The current methods for the treatment of human CE include surgery. Therefore, the development of new scolicidal agents with low side effects and more efficacies is an urgent need. Purpose The present study aimed to compare the scolicidal efficacies of silver, iron, copper, silica and zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) against hydatid cyst protoscolices in vitro. Methods Hydatid cysts of sheep liver and lung were collected. The cyst fluid containing protoscolices was aspirated aseptically. The scolicidal activities of the silver, iron, copper, silica and zinc nanoparticles (Ag-NP, Fe-NP, Cu-NP, Si-NP and Zn-NP) were tested at different concentrations of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL following 10, 30 and 60 min of incubation in triplicate. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Results Results showed that Ag-NPs at all concentrations tested had the highest scolicidal effect. Ag-NPs at 1 mg/mL concentration after 60 min of exposure time showed 80% mortality rate. Si-NPs had the high scolicidal activity at 1 mg/mL concentration (52.33%), Cu-NPs at 0.5 mg/mL concentration (41%), Fe-NPs at 1mg/mL concentration (28%) and Zn-NPs at concentration of 1mg/mL after 60 mins (15.67%). Conclusion The findings of the present study showed that Ag-NPs, Fe-NPs, Cu-NPs, Si-NPs and Zn-NPs had potent scolicidal effects and that Ag-NPs are recommended as effective scolicidal agents. However, further in vivo studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of these nanoparticles.

The increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance have demanded the development of new drugs as conventional antibiotics have become significantly less effective. Evidence has identified a variety of phytocompounds with the potential to be used in the combat of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Considering the verification that terpenes are promising antibacterial compounds, the present research aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiotic-modulating activity of (+)-α-pinene and (-)-borneol against MDR bacterial strains. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the compounds and antibiotics and further evaluate the intrinsic and associated antibiotic activity. These analyses revealed that (+)-α-pinene showed significant antibacterial activity only against E. coli ( MIC = 512 μ g . m L − 1 ), while no significant inhibition of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa growth was observed ( MIC ≥ 1024 μ g m L − 1 ). However, when combined with antibiotics, this compound induced a significant improvement in the activity of conventional antibiotics, as observed for ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and gentamicin against Staphylococcus aureus, as well as for amikacin and gentamicin against Escherichia coli, and amikacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. On the other hand, (-)-borneol was found to inhibit the growth of E. coli and enhance the antibiotic activity of ciprofloxacin and gentamicin against S. aureus. The present findings indicate that (+)-α-pinene and (-)-borneol are phytocompounds with the potential to be used in the combat of antibacterial resistance.

The microorganism resistance to antibiotics has become one of the most worrying issues for science due to the difficulties related to clinical treatment and the rapid spread of diseases. Efflux pumps are classified into six groups of carrier proteins that are part of the different types of mechanisms that contribute to resistance in microorganisms, allowing their survival. The present study aimed to carry out a bibliographic review on the superfamilies of carriers in order to understand their compositions, expressions, substrates, and role in intrinsic resistance. At first, a search for manuscripts was carried out in the databases Medline, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Scielo, using as descriptors: efflux pump, expression, pump inhibitors and efflux superfamily. For article selection, two criteria were taken into account: for inclusion, those published between 2000 and 2020, including textbooks, and for exclusion, duplicates and academic collections. In this research, 139,615 published articles were obtained, with 312 selected articles and 7 book chapters that best met the aim. From the comprehensive analysis, it was possible to consider that the chromosomes and genetic elements can contain genes encoding efflux pumps and are responsible for multidrug resistance. Even though this is a well-explored topic in the scientific community, understanding the behavior of antibiotics as substrates that increase the expression of pump-encoding genes has challenged medicine. This review study succinctly summarizes the most relevant features of these systems, as well as their contribution to multidrug resistance.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a widespread helminthic disease caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus is represented as a public health concern in humans. The therapeutic failure of albendazole (ABZ) against CE depends on its low aqueous solubility and consequently its erratic bioavailability in plasma. Serious adverse effects have been also observed following the long-term use of ABZ in vivo. Methods: We evaluated the apoptotic effects of ABZ-loaded β-cyclodextrin (ABZ-β-CD) against protoscoleces (PSCs) versus ABZ alone. After 15 h of exposure time, Caspase-3 enzymatic activity was determined by fluorometric assay in PSCs treated with ABZ and ABZ-β-CD. To assess the treatment efficacy of ABZ-β-CD against PSCs, mRNA expression of Arginase (EgArg) and Thioredoxin peroxidase (EgTPx) were quantified by Real-time PCR. Results: A significant scolicidal activity of ABZ was observed only at a concentration of 800 μg/mL (100% PSCs mortality rate after 4 days of exposure), while the 200 and 400 μg/mL ABZ reached 100% PSCs mortality rate after 9 sequential days. The 400 μg/mL ABZ-β-CD had 100% scolicidal rate after 5 days of exposure. Morphological alterations using scanning electron microscopy in treated PSCs revealed that ABZ and ABZ-β-CD induced higher Caspase-3 activity than their controls, indicating a more potent apoptotic outcome on the PSCs. Also, we showed that the ABZ-β-CD can down-regulate the mRNA expression of EgArg and EgTPx, indicating more potent interference against growth and antioxidant properties of PSCs. Conclusions: These data provide new insights into the nanostructured β-CD carriers of ABZ appear as a promising candidate to improve the treatment of CE in vivo models.

Background: Propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by bees. It provides beneficial effects on human health in the treatment/management of many diseases. The present study was performed to demonstrate the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of ethanolic extracts of Propolis samples from Iran. The interactions of the compounds and essential proteins of Acanthamoeba were also visualized through docking simulation. Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Propolis extract against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts was determined in vitro. In addition, two-fold dilutions of each of the agents were tested for encystment, excystment and adhesion inhibitions. Three major compounds of Propolis extract such as chrysin, tectochrysin and pinocembrin have been selected in molecular docking approach to predict the compounds that might be responsible for encystment, excystment and adhesion inhibitions of A. castellanii. Furthermore, to confirm the docking results, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were also carried out for the most promising two ligand-pocket complexes from docking studies. Results: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) 62.5 and 125 µg/mL of the most active Propolis extract were assessed in trophozoites stage of Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC30010 and ATCC50739, respectively. At concentrations lower than their MICs values (1/16 MIC), Propolis extract revealed inhibition of encystation. However, at 1/2 MIC, it showed a potential inhibition of excystation and anti-adhesion. The molecular docking and dynamic simulation revealed the potential capability of Pinocembrin to form hydrogen bonds with A. castellanii Sir2 family protein (AcSir2), an encystation protein of high relevance for this process in Acanthamoeba. Conclusions: The results obtained provided a candidate for the development of therapeutic drugs against Acanthamoeba infection. In vivo experiments and clinical trials are necessary to support this claim.

Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasitic flagellated protozoan, is one of the main non-viral sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Treatment options for trichomoniasis are limited to nitroimidazole compounds. However, resistance to these drugs has been reported, which requires the development of new anti-Trichomonas agents that confer suitable efficacy and less toxicity.In the present work, we assessed the effectiveness of the liposomal system containing essential oils of Bunium persicum and Trachyspermum ammi against T. vaginalis in vitro. The chemical composition of B. persicum and T. ammi were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Liposomal vesicles were prepared with phosphatidylcholine) 70%) and cholesterol)30%) using the thin-film method. The essential oils of B. persicum and T. ammi were loaded into the liposomes using the inactive loading method. Liposomal vesicles were made for two plants separately. Their physicochemical features were tested using Zeta-Sizer, AFM and SEM. The anti-Trichomonas activity was determined after 12 and 24 h of parasite cultures in TYI-S-33 medium.After 12 and 24 h of administration, the ICThese data suggested that nano-liposomes of the essential oils of B. persicum and T. ammi may be a promising alternative to current treatments for Trichomonas infection.

This study aimed to assess in vitro acaricidal activity of essential oil (EO) and alcoholic extracts (AE) of Ajowan against D. gallinae. Using contact and spraying bioassays, different doses of EO and AE were tested. Cypermethrin and thymol (positive controls), and ethanol and distilled water (negative controls) were also tested. The results indicated that effects were method and dose dependent. Statistical analysis showed a highly significant difference for contact and spraying bioassays and various doses of EO and AE (p0.0001) as, the spraying method was more effective than the contact method for acaricidal activity at 24 h post treatment (PT). In this method, Cypermethrin, EO and thymol caused over 90 % mite mortality at 50 μgcm

Strongyloidiasis is caused by nematode infections of the genus Strongyloides, mainly Strongyloides stercoralis, and affects tens of millions of people around the world. S. stercoralis hyperinfection and disseminated strongyloidiasis are unusual but potentially fatal conditions mostly due to Gram-negative bacteremia and sepsis, primarily affecting immunocompromised patients. Infections with immunosuppressive viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Human T-cell leucemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) have been reported as risk factors for strongyloidiasis. Hyperinfection syndrome has been described in HIV-positive patients following the use of corticosteroids or during immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). In this research, we conducted a global systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the seroprevalence and odds ratios (ORs) of S. stercoralis infections in HIV-infected patients. A total of 3,649 records were screened, 164 studies were selected and evaluated in more detail, and 94 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of S. stercoralis infection in HIV positive patients was 5.1% (CI95%: 4%-6.3%), and a meta-analysis on six studies showed that with a pooled OR of 1.79 (CI95%: 1.18%-2.69%) HIV-positive men are at a higher risk of S. stercoralis infections (p

Nanoparticles (NPs) are particles with the size range approximately from 1 to 100 nanometers that are made in different shapes. Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that expected to open some new opportunities in order to destroy and control of microorganisms using of materials and systems at the scale of the atom. Parasitic diseases affect millions of people worldwide, especially in developing countries and are involved with many limitations in treatment methods. Recently, some of parasites demonstrated drug resistance, which increased the need for new effective and safer agents against parasitic infection or improvement of the drugs. There is no vaccine available for the prevention of many parasitic infections, and hence chemotherapy is the current mainstay of control. NPs have received most attention as antiparasitic drugs in few decades since current antiparasitic drugs have some side effects and their efficacy is not fully proved yet. However, little attention has been dealt to the use of nanoparticle derivatives as an antiparasitic drug. In this paper, developments in the use of NPs as anti-parasitic drugs are reviewed. Some researches indicated that gold NPs, oxidized metals, silver, chitosan and etc. have growth inhibitors or cytotoxic effect on diverse parasites, including Giardia, Leishmania, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma and helminthes including, Echinococcus multilocularis, Trichinella spiralis and Fasciola hepatica. NPs can be used separately or in combination with current drugs against parasites. Therefore, NPs are suggested as more effective and less side effects drugs for the prevention and controlling of the parasites.