| Hydatid disease is a helminth infection with various
clinical complications caused by the larval stage of the dog
tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. The scolicidal agents
have been broadly applied for inactivation of the fertile cysts
up to now, but these scolicidal agents have several side effects
on patients. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the
scolicidal activity of green synthesized gold nanoparticles
(AuNPs) utilizing mycelia-free culture filtrate of Penicillium
aculeatum against hydatid cyst protoscolices of
E. granulosus. The size and morphology of AuNPs were affirmed
by UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy
(SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and dynamic
light scattering (DLS) analysis. The Fourier transform
infrared (FT-IR) analysis of AuNPs showed the presence of
possible functional groups responsible for the bioreduction
and capping. The AuNPs were formed relatively uniform with
spherical shape and superior monodispersity with the average
diameter of 60 nm. Consequently, various concentrations
(0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mg/mL) of green synthesized AuNPs
and different exposure times (10, 30, 60, and 120 min) were
used against hydatid cyst protoscolices. Statistically, the difference
between the scolicidal effects of AuNPs were seen
extremely significant for all four concentrations and at various
exposure times in comparison to the control group
(P < 0.0001). The most mean protoscolex elimination ratio
was 94% (0.3 mg/mL AuNPs and 120-min exposure time).
The current investigation indicated that applying biogenic
AuNPs may be considered as a potential scolicidal agent for
cystic hydatid disease. However, further studies are required
to evaluate the efficacy of AuNPs in vivo. |