Antiparasitic Effects of Niosomal Formulations of Curcumin and Silymarin Against Toxoplasma gondii In Vitro.

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii. No Symptoms in healthy people. Notably, very dangerous symptoms in immunocompromised, or patients with immune diseases. Previous research has shown that the parasite's resistance to drugs continues to emerge and has indicated this resistance as a cause for concern. In this context, researchers have a great responsibility to search for alternative treatments, as well as to develop existing ones. Essentially, this improves the therapeutic efficacy of drugs and prevents the emergence of resistance to them. The present study aims to evaluate antitoxoplasma effects of niosomal loaded curcumin and silymarin and their synergistic effects with clindamycin against T. gondii RH strain in vitro. Materials and Methods: Experiments were conducted on the tachyzoites of T. gondii RH-strain, based on: the free and nieosomal compounds of curcumin and silymarin, in addition to the drug clindamycin. Data were collected to estimate parasite viability during exposure to the therapeutic compounds under study using a special MTT assay ((3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolioum bromide) assay: is a colorimetric assay for measuring cellular growth) kit provided by (Bio Idea Company, Tehran, Iran). Hence, the effect of the therapeutic compounds on the parasite load was studied using the quantitative molecular technique real-time PCR. Results: The results indicate that the combination of N-silymarin and N-curcumin with clindamycin has active synergistic effects against T. gondii leading to complete elimination of the parasite. Data revealed that curcumin and silymarin in both their free and nisomal forms had inhibitory effects on the parasite, and minimal toxic effects on normal cells. Conclusions: The results highlight the successful synergistic effect of clindamycin and the niosomal compounds curcumin and silymarin in completely eradicating the T. gondii RH-strain. This finding contributes positively to the field of safe and effective treatments.