Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin nanoparticles in the intestinal and muscular phases of murine trichinosis

Background: Curcumin (Cur) exhibits anti-parasitic effects in spite of its poor bioavailability. However, several studies documented use of nanotechnology as efficient drug delivery system.Objective: To investigate the effect of Cur nanoparticles (Cur-Nano) alone and in combination with albendazole (ABZ) on murine trichinosis.Material and Methods: A total of 150 laboratory-bred, male Swiss Albino mice were divided randomly and equally into three groups; (I) the intestinal group; (II) the early-treated muscular group; and (III) the late-treated muscular group. Each group was subdivided equally into five subgroups; (a) negative control group; (b) infected non-treated (positive control); (c) mice infected and treated by ABZ; (d) mice infected and treated by Cur-Nano and (e) mice infected and treated by both drugs. Mice were sacrificed on the 7th day post-infection (dpi) (GI) and on the 49th dpi (GII and GIII). The intestinal and muscle specimens were used for H&E, Masson's trichrome, and toluidine blue. Additional study parameters included levels of creatine kinase (CK) to assess degree of muscle destruction, expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as serum and muscle matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) to investigate Cur anti-angiogenetic activity, and malonaldehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) to determine its anti-oxidant effects.Results: All treated subgroups showed a significant reduction in adult worm and larval count, with the highest reduction of 99.325 % and 95.94% in GIe and GIIIe respectively. There was a significant improvement in the inflammatory response with significantly decreased expression of VEGF. In both early and late treated mice, serum CK, MDA and MMP9 levels were decreased with improved TAC levels in mice treated with combined treatment and Cur-Nano. Conclusion: Nanoparticles proved effective drug delivery system for Cur against trichinosis with noticeable outcomes in the muscle phase. The synergistic activity of ABZ/Cur-Nano gives the best results in both intestinal and muscular phases.