Effect of Silica Based Nanoparticles against Plasmodium   falciparum and Leishmania infantum parasites

• Published in: Journal of xenobiotics Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 155 - 162
• Main Authors: Tsamesidis, Ioannis, Lymperaki, Evgenia, Egwu, Chinedu O, Pouroutzidou, Georgia K, Kazeli, Konstantina, Reybier, Karine, Bourgeade-Delmas, Sandra, Valentin, Alexis, Kontonasaki, Eleana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 16-11-2021; MDPI
• Subjects: anti-parasitic properties; artemisinin; Drugs; Experiments; leishmanisis; Life Sciences; Malaria; Microscopy; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Parasites; Parasitic diseases; silica-based nanoparticles; Spectrum analysis; Tropical diseases; France; artemisinin; leishmanisis; silica-based nanoparticles; malaria; anti-parasitic properties
• ISSN: 2039-4713; 2039-4705; 2039-4713
• DOI: 10.3390/jox11040011

Malaria and Leishmaniasis are two major parasitic diseases, endemic in large areas of tropical countries with high morbidity and mortality across the world. Nanoparticles in small sizes are specifically considered in medicine due to their ability to enter the cells, control the distribution of the administered drug and carry the drug specifically to the place of action. The present study aims to introduce the application of silica nanoparticles as new promising nanotools in malaria and leishmaniasis treatment. Ion doped silica nanomaterials revealed antileishmanial activities indicating the positive role of calcium, magnesium and copper to the surface of the particles against
parasites. Artemisinin-loaded nanoparticles presented the most promising antiparasitic properties with a sustained release able to overcome the parasite invasion. The sustainable release of artemisinin guarantee both the maintenance of its potential efficacy and also introduce an administration of drug to avoid subsequent drug resistance.