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Updated: May 20, 2026
Preparation of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and the Evaluation of their Antibacterial Effects
Published on: September 27, 2024
In Vitro and In Vivo Study of Green-Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a Novel Anticoccidial Agent
Shaimaa M Kasem1, Nabila M Mira1, Mohamed A Dkhil2
1Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr Elsheikh, 33516, Egypt.
Purpose:
Coccidiosis, a parasitic disease in animals, is often treated with coccidiostats, but their excessive use has led to drug resistance, reducing treatment efficacy. This study sought to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anticoccidial capacity of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Coriandrum sativum extract (CSE-ZnONPs) against Eimeria papillata.
Methods:
CSE-ZnONPs were synthesized and characterized via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). E. papillata oocysts were treated in vitro with decreasing selected concentrations from CSE-ZnONPs (100 - 0.5 mg/ml K2Cr2O7) of CSE-ZnONPs for 96 h as part of a sporulation inhibition assay. For In vivo, five groups (G) of mice were utilized: G1: control group (Non-Infected), G2: received CSE-ZnONPs, G3: infection group with 10³ sporulated oocysts (Infected). G4: infected and treated with CSE-ZnONPs at a dosage of 50 mg/kg b.w. (Infected + CSE-ZnONPs). G5: infected and treated with amprolium at a dosage of 120 mg/kg b.w. (Infected + Amp). The treatments were persisted for five days.
Results:
In vitro results indicated that CSE-ZnONPs markedly decreased sporulation rates and caused morphological damage in E. papillata oocysts. The in vivo oral administration of CSE-ZnONPs to infected mice considerably reduced the numbers of jejunal endogenous stages and notably decreased their morphometric dimensions. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a downregulation of Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4) and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) expression, whereas biochemical antioxidant studies indicated reduced nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels, alongside elevated superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. ELISA verified reduced serum concentrations of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10, and iNOS in the treated mice.
Conclusion:
CSE-ZnONPs possess a promising potent in vitro sporulation inhibition and in vivo anticoccidial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immuno-therapeutic properties against E. papillata.
