A Review of Nanotechnology for Targeted Anti-schistosomal Therapy

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is one of the major parasitic diseases and second most prevalent among the group of neglected diseases. The prevalence of schistosomiasis may be due to environmental and socioeconomic factors, as well as the unavailability of vaccines for schistosomiasis. To date, current treatment; mainly the drug praziquantel (PZQ), has not been effective in treating the early forms of schistosome species. The development of drug resistance has been documented in several regions globally, due to the overuse of PZQ, rate of parasitic mutation, poor treatment compliance, co-infection with different strains of schistosomes and the overall parasite load. Hence, exploring the schistosome tegument may be a potential focus for the design and development of targeted anti-schistosomal therapy, with higher bioavailability as molecular targets using nanotechnology. This review aims to provide a concise incursion on the use of various advance approaches to achieve targeted anti-schistosomal therapy, mainly through the use of nano-enabled drug delivery systems. It also assimilates the molecular structure and function of the schistosome tegument and highlights the potential molecular targets found on the tegument, for effective specific interaction with receptors for more efficacious anti-schistosomal therapy.

Nanotheranostics With the Combination of Improved Targeting, Therapeutic Effects, and Molecular Imaging

“…Targeted therapy that delivers drugs to cancer cells is important for improving treatment efficacy and avoiding systemic toxicity (Li et al, 2020;Shen et al, 2020). In recent years, the focus on developing targeted therapy with NP delivery systems has increased (Swain et al, 2016;Genchi et al, 2017;Adekiya et al, 2020). Molecular targeting relying on binding between a targeting ligand and a cancer-specific receptor has been used extensively in nanomaterials techniques (Yao et al, 2016).…”

A Review of Nanotechnology for Treating Dysfunctional Placenta

“…When NPs contact and break down their targets, the drug is released to assert its therapeutic function. There are many types of nanomaterials and nanocarriers used for drug transfer with the aim of treating diseases, including liposomes, dendrimers, micelles, polymeric micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, and metallic nanoparticles ( Adekiya et al, 2020 ; Pritchard et al, 2021 ). In summary, nanomaterials may provide novel treatment options for obstetric medical conditions.…”

In silico inhibition of SGTP4 as a therapeutic target for the treatment of schistosomiasis

“…Perhaps, if any compounds used in this study fails the oral bioavailability evaluation when the potency of the compound in treating schistosomiasis is finally ascertained experimentally, it could be delivered using a nanomedicine approach, which uses the application of nanotechnology (advanced drug delivery systems (DDS) and targeted approach). An approach used for monitoring, treatment, control and prevention of biological diseases and has been promising in improving pharmaceutical ingredients in the treatments of several diseases (Adekiya et al, 2020b). Alternatively, it could be administered using other routes of molecular active compound administration, such as intravenous, intramuscular among others.…”

“…Thus, the interaction of some selected potential antischistosomal compounds (Licochalcone A, Licarin, Harmonine and praziquantel as control) was investigated on one of the prominent targeted protein found in the tegument of Schistosoma species. Recently, Adekiya et al (2020b) highlighted several potential druggable and vaccine proteins targets and molecular receptors found on the surface of the schistosome tegument such as; schistosome glucose transporter 1 (SGTP1) and 4 (SGTP4) which are found in all types of schistosomes (Skelly et al, 1994(Skelly et al, , 1998, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and a nicotinic type of acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) which are primarily located on the surface of male schistosomes (MacDonald et al, 2014;Mansour & Mansour, 2002). Other targeted protein found on the surface of the tegument is dynein (S. mansoni) (Mansour & Mansour, 2002).…”