The Effect of Different Formulations of Praziquantel in Reducing Worms in the Prepatent Period of Schistosomiasis in Murine Models

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a widely distributed parasitic disease and one of the most important neglected tropical diseases globally, for which Praziquantel® (PZQ) is the only available treatment. In this context, tests with new PZQ formulations become relevant for disease control. This study evaluated the effects of PZQ treatment in the prepatent phase of schistosomiasis using two formulations: nanoencapsulated (PZQ-NANO) and active pharmaceutical ingredient (PZQ-API). Five experimental groups were established, for which the following serological parameters were evaluated: ALT, AST, ALP, and TP. Animals treated with PZQ-API at 15 and 30 days post-infection showed decreased eggs per gram of feces (EPG) compared to untreated infected animals. The same animals showed reductions of 63.6 and 65.1%, respectively, at 60 days post-infection. Animals treated with PZQ-NANO experienced no significant changes in EPG at any time of observation. Animals treated with either PZQ-API or PZQ-NANO had higher ALT and AST levels in the patent period (60 and 90 days post-infection). Treatment with PZQ, either API or NANO, at 15 days post-infection reduced AST, ALT, and TP levels. It is concluded that prepatent treatment with PZQ-API can reduce the parasite load of infected animals and that treatment at 15 days post-infection can prevent increased serum levels of ALT, AST, and TP.

3D-Printed Gastroretentive Tablets Loaded with Niclosamide Nanocrystals by the Melting Solidification Printing Process (MESO-PP)

“…The formulation of nanocrystals, polymeric nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, nanofibers, micelles, and carbon nanoparticles has been explored. The reduction of particle size to the nanometer scale increases the surface area giving the system differential properties, such as improved apparent saturation solubility (as described in the Ostwald–Freundlich equation), increased dissolution rates (Noyes–Whitney equation), and especially in the case of systems, such as nanocrystals, increased bioadhesive to surface membranes (due to the increase in the number of contact points) [ 17 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. In particular, nanocrystals, defined as submicron particles composed of 100% stabilized drugs in a crystalline state, emerge as one of the most promising approaches for improving the in vivo performance of orally administered class II drugs [ 27 ].…”