Lauramide-coated silver selenide nanoparticles exhibit potent multimodal activity against cystic echinococcosis...

The present study aimed to evaluate the protoscolicidal and therapeutic efficacy of lauramide-coated silver selenide nanoparticles (Lu-AgSe NPs) in a murine model of cystic echinococcosis, with particular emphasis on hydatid cyst development, parasite burden, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. This study employed a comprehensive experimental design incorporating in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models. Mice infected with the target parasite were randomly assigned to treatment groups receiving either normal saline, albendazole at a dosage of 200 mg/kg, or Lu-AgSe NPs administered at concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg. The protoscolicidal efficacy of the treatments was assessed through both in vitro and ex vivo assays. In vivo evaluations encompassed measurements of parasitic load, oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammatory cytokine profiles, fibrosis-associated protein expression, and hepatic function indices. Lu-AgSe nanoparticles demonstrated a marked dose-dependent antiparasitic effect across all experimental platforms. Both in vitro and ex vivo assessments confirmed robust protoscolicidal activity. In vivo administration of Lu-AgSe NPs significantly reduced hydatid cyst burden, with the 20 mg/kg dose decreasing cyst number and cyst weight by approximately 89% and 80%, respectively, compared with untreated infected controls (p < 0.001). Biochemical analyses indicated a significant reestablishment of redox homeostasis, evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (p < 0.001). Immunological evaluation revealed a marked increase in interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) concomitant with reductions in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) (p < 0.001), suggesting an immunomodulatory shift favoring a protective Th1-type response. Furthermore, fibrosis-related markers, including Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β), Collagen I, and Collagen III, were significantly downregulated (p < 0.001). Liver function tests, comprising aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and bilirubin levels, exhibited marked improvement (p < 0.001). Collectively, the therapeutic efficacy of the highest nanoparticle dose was comparable to or exceeded that of albendazole. The findings indicate that Lu-AgSe NPs possess potent multifaceted therapeutic properties against cystic echinococcosis, exerting direct protoscolicidal effects alongside host-mediated antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antifibrotic activities. These results underscore the potential of Lu-AgSe NPs as a novel nanotherapeutic modality. Nonetheless, further investigations focusing on pharmacokinetic profiling, comprehensive safety assessments, and validation in large-animal models are warranted to facilitate clinical translation.