Work

Co-delivery of spiramycin and curcumin nanoemulsions for treating acute (RH strain) and chronic (Tehran strain) toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a nanoemulsion containing spiramycin and curcumin (NE-CS) to enhance these compounds’ bioavailability and efficacy against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in mice. Nanoemulsion containing spiramycin and curcumin (NE-CS), spiramycin nanoemulsion (NE-Spi), and a nanoemulsion without the drug (NE) were prepared via spontaneous emulsification and characterized for particle size and zeta potential. Their in vitro activity was tested against tachyzoites of T. gondii , RH strain, at different concentrations (250, 125, 62.5, and 31.25 µg/ml) and time points (30, 60, 90, and 120 min). In vivo, BALB/c mice infected with RH and Tehran strains were treated with NE-CS (25 mg/kg/day curcumin + 50 mg/kg/day spiramycin), NE-Spi (50 mg/kg/day), S-Spi, and NE, with infected/untreated mice as controls. Survival time, tachyzoite counts in peritoneal fluid (acute phase), and number and size of tissue cysts (chronic phase) were assessed microscopically. NE-CS significantly decreased the intracellular multiplication of T. gondii tachyzoites (5 ± 2.78 × 10 4 ) compared with that of the infected/untreated group (3509 ± 435.39 × 10 4 ). Oral administration of NE-CS improved therapeutic outcomes in vivo, prolonged survival time in mice (13 days), reduced parasitemia, and decreased both the number (43 ± 5.78) and size (4 ± 1.11 µm) of brain cysts compared to the infected/untreated group (380 ± 17.22 and 112.8 ± 8.28 µm, respectively). This study demonstrated the in vitro efficiency of nanoemulsion co-delivery of curcumin and spiramycin for increasing tachyzoite death, and indicated the possibility of NE-CS and NE-Spi for treating acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in murine models. However, further investigations are needed to confirm their safety and effectiveness across broader models. Graphical abstract

Source: Parasitology Research

DOI: 10.1007/s00436-025-08588-9