Application of nanoparticles in the treatment of parasitic diseases

Background: In recent years, nanoparticles have been introduced in clinical researches both in human and animals. One of using topic is treatment of parasite-induced clinical defects. Nanoparticles are dispersed droplets or solid particles with a size of 10-100nm which are made in different shapes. Nanoparticles have received more attention as antiparasitic drugs in recent years since current antiparasitic drugs have some side effects and their efficacy is not proved yet. Some researches indicate that silver nanoparticles, gold, chitosan, and oxidized metals have growth inhibitory or cytotoxic effect on various parasites, including Giardia, Leishmania, Malaria, Toxoplasma and insect larva. Some studies also evaluated the health effects of nanoparticles, such as gold and silver on particular protozoa specially Leishmania and Malaria. Nanoparticles could be used against parasites individually or in combination. Materials and Methods: In this study, which is a systematic review study, all papers presented on this subject were evaluated at the databases, SID, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and others. Nanotechnology has given the tools to medicine to improve treatments and to develop effective immune responses against infectious agents such as parasitic diseases. Cancer research has been the major area met by nanotechnology. Nanotech can offer an improvement in imaging and diagnosis of the diseases as well, slipping away the limitations of biological barriers. Results and conclusion: Parasitic infections are caused by protozoa, helminths, etc. The treatment of parasitic infections is hampered by drug toxicity and resistance, resulting in the application of two or more selected antiparasitic drugs for enhanced therapeutic outcomes both in human and animals. Parasitic infection such as malaria suffer from drug resistance as a result of poor treatment compliance. Therefore, nanoparticles are recommended for destroying parasites (cytotoxic and inhibitory effect), making more effective and less harmful drugs and also beneficial vaccines for the prevention and control of the parasites.

Key words: Nanoparticles, Parasitic disease, Treatment.