Potential role of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from Aaronsohnia factorovskyi on Hymenolepis nana in BALB/c mice

ABSTRACT Hymenolepiasis is the most common intestinal tapeworm infection in humans caused by an intestinal cestode, Hymenolepis nana. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the most effective drug among other compounds, however, many cases of drug resistance have been reported. Recent research projects have been focused on finding novel therapeutic agents from medicinal plants. In the present study, Aaronsohnia factorovskyi was used against hymenolepiasis in the forms of plant extract (AF) and biosynthesized nanoparticles (AF-NPs) in comparison to PZQ. The results showed that 100 mg/kg AF and 0.5 mg/kg AF-NPs were the most effective doses at suppressing the fecal egg output by 98.39% and 100%, respectively. After the 10th day of treatment, it was not feasible to detect the presence of H. nana eggs in the fecal sample’s examination in the AF-NPs group. Upon treatment with AF-NPs, there were more improvements in the structure of the intestinal tissue than the effect of AF alone and in comparison, to PZQ. Collectively, results showed that A. factoryviski can be used as an anti-hymenolepiasis treatment with minimum side effects and less cost. Also, it was found that NPs are the most effective way, as it offers a faster recovery rate in comparison to natural plant extract.