Scolicidal activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles against Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices

Cystic hydatid disease (CHD), a helminth infection with various clinical complications caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus is considered as a public health problem in different regions of the world. To date, scolicidal agents have been broadly applied for inactivation of the fertile cysts and these scolicidal agents have several side effects on patients. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the scolicidal efficacies of synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from the aqueous aerial extract of Penicillium aculeatum against protoscolices of CHD in-vitro. Protoscolices were aseptically aspirated from infected livers of sheep with CHD. Various concentrations (0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 mg/mL) of green synthesis of Ag-NPs and different exposure times (10, 30, 60 and 120 min) were used against protoscolices of CHD. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. The findings showed that the Ag-NPs at all concentrations have high scolicidal effects. The concentrations 0.1 and 0.15 mg/mL after 120 min of exposure times showed 83% and 90% mortality rate, respectively. The least scolicidal activity of biosynthesized Ag-NPs was 40% (0.025 mg/mL and 10 min). The current investigation indicated that applying biogenic Ag-NPs may be considered as a potential scolicidal agent for CHD surgery due to being economical, safer and non-toxic compared to the used chemical materials. However, further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of Ag-NPs in vivo.