Scolicidal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles against hydatid cyst protoscolices in vitro

Objective(s): Nanoparticles (NPs) are particles with the size range from 1 to 100 nanometers that are made in different shapes. Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that look forward to open some new chances in order to destroy and control of microorganisms using of materials and systems at the scale of the atom. Echinococcus granulosus is the cause of cystic echinococcosis (CE) that has a cosmopolitan distribution. This parasite produces hydatid cysts that cause suffering various parts of mammalian host including liver, heart, brain, lung, and bone which may be fatal. The current methods for treatment of human CE involve surgery. Methods: This study was undertaken for the first time to evaluate the scolicidal effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO- NPs) against hydatid cyst protoscolices in vitro. The scolicidal activities of the zinc oxide nanoparticles were tested in concentrations of 50,100 and 150 mg/ml following 10, 30 and 60 minutes of incubation and were repeated three times. Results were analyzed by SAS software. Results: The results showed that at the concentration of 50 mg/ml of nano Zno mortality rate is about 19.6% protoscolices at 10 minutes. In 150 mg/ml concentration, the black ZnO particles were covered entire of all protoscolices, and they could not be seen or counted. Conclusions: This investigation showed statistically significant differences in the protoscolicidal activity with different dilutions of that ZnO NPs but, is not recommended as a powerful scolicidal agent.