Therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel loaded-chitosan nanoparticles on juvenile Schistosoma mansoni worms in murine model

Praziquantel (PZQ) is the standard treatment for schistosomiasis; however, it is poorly effective on immature and juvenile worms. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel loaded-chitosan nanoparticles (PZQ-CSNPs) on the 25 days old juvenile Schistosoma mansoni worms compared to PZQ and chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs). It was conducted on 60 Swiss albino mice, including 20 control and 40 experimental mice. The control groups included healthy uninfected and infected non-treated mice. The experimental groups included mice infected treated on the 25th day with 400 mg/kg PZQ, 30 mg/kg CSNPs, 100 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg PZQ-CSNPs. The results revealed that PZQ-CSNPs (100, 400 mg/kg) gave the best results substantiated by a remarkable decrease in worm burden, egg count, granuloma count and size compared to the other treatments. Moreover, it induced severe deformations of worm morphology regarding oral and ventral suckers, tegument, spines distribution, and male gynaecophoric canal. Liver enzymes and oxidative stress markers were significantly decreased while antioxidant activities were increased compared to control and other treated groups. In conclusion, a single dose of PZQ-CSNPs had significant antischistosomal therapeutic effects during the early maturation phase.