Effects of green synthesized zinc nanoparticles alone and along with albendazole against hydatid cyst protoscoleces

BACKGROUND: The current investigation aims to green synthesized the zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) using Lavandula angustifolia extract by microwave technique and its protoscolicidal effects alone and combined with albendazole against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. METHODS: Different concentrations of the ZnNPs (50, 100, and 200 μg/ml) alone and combined with albendazole (ALZ, 100 μg/ml) were treated with hydatid cyst protoscoleces obtained from liver of infected sheep for 5–60 min in vitro and ex vivo. Eosin exclusion examination was used to assess the viability of protoscoleces. The induction of apoptosis in hydatid cyst protoscoleces was assessed by measurement of the Caspase-3 activity of protoscoleces treated with various concentrations of ZnNPs. RESULTS: The size of green synthesized ZnNPs was ranged from 30 to 80 nm, most of these nanoparticles were between 50 and 60 nm in size. In vitro, the highest scolicidal effect of ZnNPs was observed at the concentration of 200 μg/ml, where it killed 81.6% of protoscolices. While the combination of these nanoparticles with ALZ, especially at the concentration of 200 μg/ml, completely killed the protoscolices after 10 min’ exposure. However, compared to in vitro assay, the drugs tested took longer to show their protoscolicidal effect. CONCLUSION: Based on the obtained results, ZnNPs particularly in combination with albendazole displayed the potent protoscolicidal in vitro and ex vivo as an intraperitoneal model of administration of agents to hydatid cyst treatment; nevertheless, additional investigations are mandatory to evaluate the efficacy and safety Zn NPs as a favorable protoscolicidal agent in clinical setting.