Journal of Tropical Medicine (Jan 2024)

Assessment of the Effects of Albendazole-Loaded Sulfonated Graphene Oxide on Echinococcus granulosus Protoscoleces: An In Vitro Investigation

  • Mohammad Reza Lashkarizadeh,
  • Mohammad Shafie’ei,
  • Mahdiyeh Lashkarizadeh,
  • Seyed Mohammad Mousavi,
  • Ghazaleh Sheibani,
  • Zahra Akbari,
  • Haniyeh Daneshafruz,
  • Ali Derakhshani,
  • Faham Khamesipour

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/4851392
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2024

Abstract

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Objectives. Due to Albendazole’s relatively low efficacy and bioavailability, Echinococcosis has proven a challenge to manage successfully, with several studies investigating ways to improve the outcome, mainly showing mixed results. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate whether Sulfonated Graphene Oxide (S-GO), as nanocarriers, could improve the mentioned outcome. Methods. Echinococcus protoscoleces were divided into four groups based on the agent they received, which comprised control, S-GO, Albendazole, and Albendazole-loaded S-GO (S-GO-Albendazole). Then, the Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression levels and the number of surviving protoscoleces in each group were determined. Results. Bax gene expression increased by 121% in the 50 μg/ml concentration of the S-GO-Albendazole, while Bcl-2 gene expression decreased by 64%. Moreover, S-GO-Albendazole was approximately 18% more effective at neutralizing protoscoleces than Albendazole and 14% and 31% more effective at improving the expression of the mentioned genes, respectively (p<0.05). In addition, the number of surviving protoscoleces after exposure to the mentioned concentration reduced by approximately 99%. Conclusions. S-GO, despite not having significant lethality on protoscoleces, significantly increased the lethality of Albendazole and, therefore, is a suitable nanocarrier. However, we recommend conducting in vivo and clinical studies to more accurately determine this nanocomplex’s potential and side effects.