Green-synthesised ZnO-Ag-CuO nanocomposites from Thymus vulgaris and their in vitro anticoccidial activity

IF 1.4 4区医学 Q4 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Molecular and biochemical parasitology Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-26 DOI:10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111711

Raghda R. Qadir , Hamin J. Mohammed , Samir M. Hamad , Yousef Mirzaei , Mukhtar H. Ahmed

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Coccidiosis is a significant parasitic disease affecting poultry, resulting in substantial economic losses due to its impact on growth, increased mortality, and compromised bird health.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anticoccidial effects of a novel green-synthesised ZnO-Ag-CuO nanocomposite, using Thymus vulgaris extract.

Methods

The nanocomposite was synthesised through an eco-friendly method employing T. vulgaris as a stabilising and reducing agent. Characterisation was performed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX, confirming its high crystallinity, nanoscale size, and the successful integration of ZnO, Ag, and CuO phases. Anticoccidial activity was assessed via a sporulation inhibition assay against Eimeria spp. Oocysts isolated from broiler chickens.

Results

The nanocomposite significantly reduced oocyst sporulation and increased the proportion of damaged and unpopulated oocysts in a dose-dependent manner ‎(0.1–1 mg/mL) (p < 0.0001). ZnO–Ag–CuO NCs showed a dose-dependent anticoccidial effect, reducing sporulated oocysts to 56.41 %, 33.63 % and 22.9 % at 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL (control 88.62 %; p < 0.0001). Unsporulated oocysts increased to 15.9–62.22 % (control 13.33 %), while damaged oocysts reached up to 14.82 % (control 0 %).

Conclusion

The green-synthesised ZnO-Ag-CuO nanocomposite demonstrated strong in vitro anticoccidial activity; however, further studies are needed to evaluate the nanocomposite’s potential toxicity, formulation, stability under biological conditions, safety before practical applications and potential environmental impact within a One Health framework.

Future plans

In vivo studies are recommended to validate the efficacy and safety of these approaches for large-scale applications.

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绿色合成普通胸腺ZnO-Ag-CuO纳米复合材料及其体外抗球虫活性

球虫病是一种影响家禽的重要寄生虫病，由于其对生长、死亡率增加和鸟类健康的影响，造成了巨大的经济损失。目的研究绿色合成的以麝香提取物为原料的ZnO-Ag-CuO纳米复合材料的体外抗球虫作用。方法采用生态友好的方法，以黄芪为稳定还原剂合成纳米复合材料。利用紫外可见光谱、FTIR、XRD、SEM和EDX对其进行了表征，证实了其高结晶度、纳米级尺寸以及ZnO、Ag和CuO相的成功整合。通过对肉仔鸡艾美耳球虫卵囊的抑孢试验，评价其抗球虫活性。结果纳米复合材料显著降低卵囊产孢量，增加卵囊损伤和未卵囊比例，且呈剂量依赖性（0.1-1 mg/mL）（p <； 0.0001）。ZnO-Ag-CuO NCs表现出剂量依赖性的抗球虫作用，在0.1、0.5和1.0 mg/mL时，将孢子卵囊减少56.41 %，33.63 %和22.9 %（对照88.62 %;p <； 0.0001）。无孢子卵囊增加15.9 ~ 62.22 %（对照组13.33 %），损伤卵囊增加14.82 %（对照组0 %）。结论绿色合成的ZnO-Ag-CuO纳米复合材料具有较强的体外抗球虫活性；然而，需要进一步的研究来评估纳米复合材料的潜在毒性、配方、生物条件下的稳定性、实际应用前的安全性以及在“同一个健康”框架内的潜在环境影响。未来计划建议进行体内研究，以验证这些方法大规模应用的有效性和安全性。

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来源期刊

Molecular and biochemical parasitology 医学-寄生虫学

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

63 days

期刊介绍： The journal provides a medium for rapid publication of investigations of the molecular biology and biochemistry of parasitic protozoa and helminths and their interactions with both the definitive and intermediate host. The main subject areas covered are: • the structure, biosynthesis, degradation, properties and function of DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and small molecular-weight substances • intermediary metabolism and bioenergetics • drug target characterization and the mode of action of antiparasitic drugs • molecular and biochemical aspects of membrane structure and function • host-parasite relationships that focus on the parasite, particularly as related to specific parasite molecules. • analysis of genes and genome structure, function and expression • analysis of variation in parasite populations relevant to genetic exchange, pathogenesis, drug and vaccine target characterization, and drug resistance. • parasite protein trafficking, organelle biogenesis, and cellular structure especially with reference to the roles of specific molecules • parasite programmed cell death, development, and cell division at the molecular level.