Recent Advances in Therapeutic Strategies Against Hydatid Cysts Using Nanomaterials: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Hydatidosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases affecting general health due to the lack of effective treatment strategies. Hydatid cysts are commonly treated with benzimidazole (BZ) derivatives. However, their management is fraught with complications. Objective: This systematic review discusses recent efforts toward developing benzimidazole-based antihydatid nanodrugs. Methods: Data were retrieved using PRISMA guidelines from several databases, such as Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, Google Scholar, and Cochrane. Relevant articles published in English and Persian were retrieved in December 2021. Keywords related to the search process (combined or singular) included echinococcosis, hydatidosis, hydatid cysts, cystic echinococcosis, protoscolicidal effect, albendazole (ALB), mebendazole (MBZ), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), in vitro and in vivo. Results: Twenty-three research articles were eligible for further analysis after considering the inclusion/ exclusion criteria. This study indicates that ALB is the most prevalent synthetic drug incorporated into nanoparticles (n = 68.4%). Additionally, the study examined nanoparticles containing ALB sulfoxide (n = 31.5%). A total of three studies (n = 25%) were conducted with SLNs and two (n = 16.6%) with lipid nanocarriers (NLCs). BALB/c mice (58.3%) were used most frequently in vivo studies. Moreover, 50% of the laboratory animals were treated orally, and 33% were treated intraperitoneally. Conclusion: As the main treatment option for hydatid, ALB has been studied more thoroughly than other drugs when developing nano-based formulations. Nanomaterials like metal nanoparticles, nanopolymers, SLNs, and nanocrystals are being investigated for antiparasitic drug development to enhance therapeutic effectiveness and reduce side effects. The findings of this study lead to the hypothesis that nanoformulation of antiparasitic drugs may open up new opportunities for developing and formulating effective antihypertensive drugs.