Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Their Role as Potential Drug Candidates for the Treatment of Parasitic Diseases
Hammad Ur Rehman Bajwa,
Muhammad Kasib Khan,
Zaheer Abbas,
Roshan Riaz,
Tauseef ur Rehman,
Rao Zahid Abbas,
Muhammad Tahir Aleem,
Asghar Abbas,
Mashal M. Almutairi,
Fahdah Ayed Alshammari,
Yasser Alraey,
Abdulaziz Alouffi
Affiliations
Hammad Ur Rehman Bajwa
Department of Parasitology, Ankara University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
Muhammad Kasib Khan
Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
Zaheer Abbas
Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
Roshan Riaz
Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases, Ankara University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
Tauseef ur Rehman
Department of Parasitology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
Rao Zahid Abbas
Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
Muhammad Tahir Aleem
MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Asghar Abbas
Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, MNS-University of Agriculture Multan, Multan 60650, Pakistan
Mashal M. Almutairi
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Fahdah Ayed Alshammari
College of Sciences and Literature Microbiology, Arar Northern Border University, Arar 73211, Saudi Arabia
Yasser Alraey
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Central Research Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62217, Saudi Arabia
Abdulaziz Alouffi
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
Protozoa, helminths and ectoparasites are the major groups of parasites distributed worldwide. Currently, these parasites are treated with chemotherapeutic antiprotozoal drugs, anti-helminthic and anti-ectoparasitic agents, but, with the passage of time, resistance to these drugs has developed due to overuse. In this scenario, nanoparticles are proving to be a major breakthrough in the treatment and control of parasitic diseases. In the last decade, there has been enormous development in the field of nanomedicine for parasitic control. Gold and silver nanoparticles have shown promising results in the treatments of various types of parasitic infections. These nanoparticles are synthesized through the use of various conventional and molecular technologies and have shown great efficacy. They work in different ways, that include damaging the parasite membrane, DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) disruption, protein synthesis inhibition and free-radical formation. These agents are effective against intracellular parasites as well. Other nanoparticles, such as iron, nickel, zinc and platinum, have also shown good results in the treatment and control of parasitic infections. It is hoped that this research subject will become the future of modern drug development. This review summarizes the methods that are used to synthesize nanoparticles and their possible mechanisms of action against parasites.
