Journals / Veteriner Farmakoloji ve Toksikoloji Derneği Bülteni / 2026 / Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2026

Nanoparticle-Based Formulations of Antiparasitic Drugs: Advantages, Limitations, and Future Perspectives

Antiparaziter İlaçların Nanopartikül Bazlı Formülasyonları: Avantajları, Sınırlamaları ve Gelecek Perspektifleri

Enes Güncüm(KIRIKKALE ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-8127-8730
Pınar Erdem(KIRIKKALE UNIVERSITY)0009-0002-6271-3818
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-03-16
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This review summarizes current advances in nanoparticle-based antiparasitic therapies, emphasizing their pharmacological advantages and potential applications in modern veterinary pharmacology.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Parasitic infections remain a major global challenge in veterinary medicine, affecting both animal welfare and agricultural productivity.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Such limitations have driven research toward innovative delivery strategies that can improve pharmacological efficacy.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:This review summarizes current advances in nanoparticle-based antiparasitic therapies, emphasizing their pharmacological advantages and potential applications in modern veterinary pharmacology.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Nanopartiküller · antiparaziter ilaçlar · nanoteknoloji

Abstract

Parasitic infections remain a major global challenge in veterinary medicine, affecting both animal welfare and agricultural productivity. These infections often result in chronic diseases and substantial economic losses, particularly in livestock. Although chemical antiparasitic drugs are the cornerstone of treatment and prevention, their clinical effectiveness is frequently limited by poor solubility, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and the growing problem of drug resistance. Such limitations have driven research toward innovative delivery strategies that can improve pharmacological efficacy. Nanotechnology has recently emerged as one of the most promising approaches in this regard. Nanoparticle-based formulations, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and metallic nanostructures, can enhance drug solubility, stability, and controlled release while enabling targeted delivery to intracellular parasites. Numerous studies have demonstrated the superior efficacy and reduced toxicity of nanoformulated antiparasitic drugs such as albendazole, ivermectin, praziquantel, artemisinin, and nitazoxanide. Furthermore, these nanosystems offer new opportunities for resistance management and the development of long-acting formulations that improve treatment compliance. This review summarizes current advances in nanoparticle-based antiparasitic therapies, emphasizing their pharmacological advantages and potential applications in modern veterinary pharmacology.

Özet

Paraziter enfeksiyonlar, veteriner hekimlikte hem hayvan refahını hem de tarımsal üretkenliği olumsuz etkileyen önemli bir küresel sorun olmaya devam etmektedir. Bu enfeksiyonlar, özellikle çiftlik hayvanlarında kronik hastalıklara ve ciddi ekonomik kayıplara yol açmaktadır. Kimyasal antiparaziter ilaçlar, tedavi ve korunmanın temelini oluştursa da düşük çözünürlük, yetersiz biyoyararlanım, hızlı metabolizma ve giderek artan ilaç direnci gibi nedenlerle klinik etkinlikleri sıklıkla sınırlı kalmaktadır. Bu kısıtlılıklar, farmakolojik etkinliği artırabilecek yenilikçi ilaç taşıma stratejilerine olan ilgiyi artırmıştır. Son yıllarda nanoteknoloji bu açıdan en umut verici yaklaşımlardan biri olarak öne çıkmıştır. Polimerik nanopartiküller, lipozomlar, katı lipid nanopartiküller ve metalik nanoyapılar gibi nanopartikül temelli formülasyonlar; ilaç çözünürlüğünü, stabilitesini ve kontrollü salımını artırırken, aynı zamanda intrasellüler parazitlere hedefli ilaç iletimine olanak sağlamaktadır. Çok sayıda çalışmada, albendazol, ivermektin, prazikuantel, artemisinin ve nitazoksanid gibi antiparaziter ilaçların nanoformülasyonlarının, geleneksel formlara kıyasla daha yüksek etkinlik ve daha düşük toksisite sunduğu gösterilmiştir. Ayrıca bu nanosistemler, direnç yönetimi için yeni olanaklar sunmakta ve tedaviye uyumu artıran uzun etkili formülasyonların geliştirilmesine katkıda bulunmaktadır. Bu derlemede, nanopartikül temelli antiparaziter tedavilere ilişkin güncel gelişmeler özetlenmekte; bu yaklaşımların farmakolojik avantajları ve modern veteriner farmakolojisindeki potansiyel uygulamaları vurgulanmaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Güncüm, E., Erdem, P. (2026). Nanoparticle-Based Formulations of Antiparasitic Drugs: Advantages, Limitations, and Future Perspectives. Veteriner Farmakoloji ve Toksikoloji Derneği Bülteni, Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2026. https://doi.org/10.38137/vftd.1806751

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (70)

  1. Ahmadpour E, Godrati-Azar Z, Spotin A, Norouzi R, Hamishehkar H et al. (2019). Nanostructured lipid carriers of ivermectin as a novel drug delivery system in hydatidosis. Parasites & Vectors, 12(1), 469.
  2. AlGabbani Q (2023). Nanotechnology: A promising strategy for the control of parasitic infections. Experimental Parasitology, 250, 108548.
  3. Ali M, Afzal M, Verma M, Misra-Bhattacharya S, Ahmad FJ et al. (2013). Improved antifilarial activity of ivermectin in chitosan–alginate nanoparticles against human lymphatic filarial parasite, Brugia malayi. Parasitology Research, 112(8), 2933-43.
  4. Ali SB, Mohamed AS, Fahmy SR, El–Garhy M, Mousa MR et al. (2024). Anthelmintic and therapeutic effects of biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles against acute kidney injury induced by Parascaris equorum infection in rats. Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 48(1), 14-24.
  5. Almutairy B, Alharthi S, Shahmabadi HE, Alavi SE (2025). Using nanostructured lipid carrier for the co-delivery of rifampicin and pentamidine for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 107306.
  6. Alsulami MN, El-Saadony MT (2023). Supplementing broiler diets with bacterial selenium nanoparticles enhances performance, carcass traits, blood indices, antioxidant status, and caecal microbiota of Eimeria tenella-infected broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 102(12), 103111.
  7. Alven S, Aderibigbe BA (2020). Nanoparticles formulations of artemisinin and derivatives as potential therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, leishmaniasis and malaria. Pharmaceutics, 12(8), 748.
  8. Anah SA, Anah SA (2023). Efficiency evaluation of silica nanoparticles as a pesticide against Ctenocephalides felis. World's Veterinary Journal, 13(4), 539-42.
  9. Babita S, Utpal J, Jyotirmaya S, Mohanta GP, Manna PK (2018). Systematic approach for the formulation and optimization of atorvastatin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles using response surface methodology. Biomedical Microdevices, 20, 53.
  10. Bajwa HUR, Khan MK, Abbas Z, Riaz R, Rehman TU et al. (2022). Nanoparticles: Synthesis and their role as potential drug candidates for the treatment of parasitic diseases. Life, 12(5), 750.
  11. Bashir M, Khan N, Mushtaq N, Khan MK, Hussain K et al. (2024). Nanotechnology in parasite control: new therapeutic horizons. In: Ahmed R, Khan A, Abbas RZ, Farooqi SH, Asrar R (eds), Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Nanotechnology–II. Unique Scientific Publishers, Faisalabad, Pakistan, pp. 208-17.
  12. Biswas R, Alam M, Sarkar A, Haque MI, Hasan MM et al. (2022). Application of nanotechnology in food: processing, preservation, packaging and safety assessment. Heliyon, 8(11), e11328.
  13. Butt SA, Irum S, Haroon M, Afzal R, Fatima S et al. (2025). Nanotechnology-driven strategies for targeted delivery of antiparasitic drugs: A review. Nanotechnology, 3(3), 80-92.
  14. Chandran S, Balan B, Ashokkumar S, Kadaikunnan S, Nicoletti M et al. (2025). Acaricidal activity of green nanoparticles (TiO2) against Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Veterinary Parasitology, 110590.
  15. Chen A, Shi Y, Yan Z, Hao H, Zhang Y et al. (2015). Dosage form developments of nanosuspension drug delivery system for oral administration route. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 21(29), 4355-65.
  16. Da Silva YB, Bedogni G, de Andrade Picanço G, de Souza JY, Nunes WS et al. (2024). Nanoformulated fenbendazole as an attractive approach for treating neurocysticercosis: in vitro and in vivo studies. Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 29(10), 1093-1100.
  17. Danchuk O, Levchenko A, da Silva Mesquita R, Danchuk V, Cengiz S et al. (2023). Meeting contemporary challenges: development of nanomaterials for veterinary medicine. Pharmaceutics, 15(9), 2326.
  18. Das S, Chaudhury A (2011). Recent advances in lipid nanoparticle formulations with solid matrix for oral drug delivery. AAPS PharmSciTech, 12(1), 62-76.
  19. Date AA, Joshi MD, Patravale VB (2007). Parasitic diseases: liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles versus lipid nanoparticles. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 59(6), 505-21.
  20. De Clercq D, Sacko M, Behnke J, Gilbert F, Dorny P et al. (1997). Failure of mebendazole in treatment of human hookworm infections in the southern region of Mali. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 57(1), 25-30.
  21. De Souza ALR, Andreani T, de Oliveira RN, Kiill CP, dos Santos FK et al. (2014). In vitro evaluation of permeation, toxicity and effect of praziquantel-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles against Schistosoma mansoni as a strategy to improve efficacy of schistosomiasis treatment. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 463(1), 31-37.
  22. EFSA Scientific Committee, More S, Bampidis V, Benford D, Bragard C et al. (2021). Guidance on risk assessment of nanomaterials to be applied in the food and feed chain: Human and animal health. EFSA Journal, 19(8), e06768.
  23. El-Gendy AML, Mohammed MAA, Ghallab MMI, Aziz MOA, Ibrahim SM (2021). Therapeutic effect of chitosan nanoparticles and metronidazole in treatment of experimentally giardiasis infected hamsters. Iranian Journal of Parasitology, 16(1), 32-40.
  24. Faizi F, Mahjub R, Torabi N, Motavallihaghi S, Fallah M (2024). Cationized albumin conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles as vectors for delivery of albendazole against cystic echinococcosis. Parasites & Vectors, 17(1), 542.
  25. Furtado LFV, de Paiva Bello ACP, dos Santos HA, Carvalho MRS, Rabelo ÉML (2014). First identification of the F200Y SNP in the β-tubulin gene linked to benzimidazole resistance in Ancylostoma caninum. Veterinary Parasitology, 206(3-4), 313-16.
  26. Hammad SK, Almotayam MH, Mohamed ASN, Farag TI (2025). The impact of ivermectin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles on the enteric phase of experimental trichinellosis. Journal of Helminthology, 99, e53.
  27. Hamori M, Yoshimatsu S, Hukuchi Y, Shimizu Y, Fukushima K et al. (2014). Preparation and pharmaceutical evaluation of nano-fiber matrix supported drug delivery system using the solvent-based electrospinning method. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 464(1-2), 243-51.
  28. Hasan MW, Gadahi JA, Haseeb M, Wang Q, Ehsan M et al. (2024). Partial protection of goats against Haemonchus contortus achieved with ADP-ribosylation factor 1 encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles. Vaccines, 12(10), 1188.
  29. Hassan ZR, Salama DEA, Ibrahim HF (2022). Apoptotic changes in the intestinal epithelium of Cryptosporidium-infected mice after silver nanoparticles treatment versus nitazoxanide. Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 46(4), 1011-20.
  30. Hassanen EI, Morsy EA, Abuowarda M, Ibrahim MA, Shaalan M (2024). Silver and gold nanoparticles as a novel approach to fight Sarcoptic mange in rabbits. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 10618.
  31. Hematizadeh A, Ebrahimzadeh MA, Sarvi S, Sadeghi M, Daryani A et al. (2023). In vitro and in vivo anti-parasitic activity of Sambucus ebulus and Feijoa sellowiana extract silver nanoparticles on Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. Acta Parasitologica, 68(3), 557-65.
  32. Isacchi B, Bergonzi MC, Grazioso M, Righeschi C, Pietretti A et al. (2012). Artemisinin and artemisinin plus curcumin liposomal formulations: enhanced antimalarial efficacy against Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 80(3), 528-34.
  33. Jaeger LH, Carvalho-Costa FA (2017). Status of benzimidazole resistance in intestinal nematode populations of livestock in Brazil: a systematic review. BMC Veterinary Research, 13(1), 358.
  34. Kazemi M (2025). Revolutionizing veterinary medicine: the role of nanoparticles in advancing animal health, nutrition and disease management. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 11(5), e70528.
  35. Król G, Fortunka K, Majchrzak M, Piktel E, Paprocka P et al. (2023). Metallic nanoparticles and core–shell nanosystems in the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of parasitic diseases. Pathogens, 12(6), 838.
  36. Kumari P, Kumar S, Brahmchari RK, Singh AB, Rajendran KV et al. (2025). Anti-parasitic efficacy of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles on Argulus siamensis: An ectoparasite of fish and their effect on the expression of ion channel genes. Aquaculture International, 33(2), 83.
  37. Kwa MSG, Veenstra JG, Roos MH (1994). Benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus is correlated with a conserved mutation at amino acid 200 in β-tubulin isotype 1. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 63(2), 299-303.
  38. Latif M, Ahmad MN, Arshad MS, Sannan MA, Qamber Z et al. (2024). Use of nanoparticles in elimination of ectoparasites in companion animals. In: Ahmed R, Khan A, Abbas RZ, Farooqi SH, Asrar R (eds), Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Nanotechnology–II. Unique Scientific Publishers, Faisalabad, Pakistan, pp. 61-67.
  39. Li P, Rios Coronado PE, Longstaff XR, Tarashansky AJ, Wang B (2018). Nanomedicine approaches against parasitic worm infections. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 7(13), 1701494.
  40. Lu M, Xiong D, Sun W, Yu T, Hu Z et al. (2017). Sustained release ivermectin-loaded solid lipid dispersion for subcutaneous delivery: in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Drug Delivery, 24(1), 622-31.
  41. Mengarda AC, Iles B, Longo JPF, de Moraes J (2022). Recent approaches in nanocarrier-based therapies for neglected tropical diseases. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology, 15(2), e1852.
  42. Mengarda AC, Iles B, Rodrigues VC, Lima AL, Machado VP et al. (2025). Low-cost self-nanoemulsified praziquantel formulation for pediatric schistosomiasis: safety, pharmacokinetics, and pilot-scale feasibility. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 8(8), 3985-97.
  43. Nas FS, Yahaya A, Ali M (2018). Application of liposomes nanoparticles in the treatment of malaria: a mini review. Journal of Biotechnology & Bioresearch, 1(2), 45-53.
  44. Nassef NE, Saad AGE, Harba NM, Beshay EV, Gouda MA et al. (2019). Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of albendazole-loaded silver nanoparticles against Echinococcus granulosus infection in experimental mice. Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 43(4), 658-71.
  45. Negi JS, Chattopadhyay P, Sharma AK, Ram V (2013). Development of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of lopinavir using hot self nano-emulsification (SNE) technique. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 48(1-2), 231-39.
  46. Paredes AJ, Litterio N, Dib A, Allemandi DA, Lanusse C et al. (2018). A nanocrystal-based formulation improves the pharmacokinetic performance and therapeutic response of albendazole in dogs. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 70(1), 51-58.
  47. Prichard RK, Geary TG (2019). Perspectives on the utility of moxidectin for the control of parasitic nematodes in the face of developing anthelmintic resistance. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 10, 69-83.
  48. Prichard RK, Hall CA, Kelly JD, Martin ICA, Donald AD (1980). The problem of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes. Australian Veterinary Journal, 56(6), 239-51.
  49. Rahman HS, Othman HH, Abdullah R, Edin HYAS, Al-Haj NA (2022). Beneficial and toxicological aspects of zinc oxide nanoparticles in animals. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 8(4), 1769-79.
  50. Rahnama V, Motazedian MH, Mohammadi-Samani S, Asgari Q, Ghasemiyeh P et al. (2021). Artemether-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of in vitro effect on Leishmania major. Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16(6), 623-33.
  51. Rehman A, Ullah R, Uddin I, Zia I, Rehman L et al. (2019). In vitro anthelmintic effect of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles on liver amphistome, Gigantocotyle explanatum. Experimental Parasitology, 198, 95-104.
  52. Saleem K, Khursheed Z, Hano C, Anjum I, Anjum S (2019). Applications of nanomaterials in leishmaniasis: a focus on recent advances and challenges. Nanomaterials, 9(12), 1749.
  53. Salem HM, Salaeh NMK, Ragni M, Swelum AA, Alqhtani AH et al. (2022). Incidence of gastrointestinal parasites in pigeons with an assessment of the nematocidal activity of chitosan nanoparticles against Ascaridia columbae. Poultry Science, 101(6), 101820.
  54. Sangster NC, Cowling A, Woodgate RG (2018). Ten events that defined anthelmintic resistance research. Trends in Parasitology, 34(7), 553-63.
  55. Schwarz C (1999). Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) for controlled drug delivery II: Drug incorporation and physicochemical characterization. Journal of Microencapsulation, 16(2), 205-13.
  56. Selzer PM, Epe C (2021). Antiparasitics in animal health: quo vadis? Trends in Parasitology, 37(1), 77-89.
  57. Shahnaz G, Edagwa BJ, McMillan J, Akhtar S, Raza A et al. (2017). Development of mannose-anchored thiolated amphotericin B nanocarriers for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. Nanomedicine, 12(2), 99-115.
  58. Silva LD, Arrúa EC, Pereira DA, Fraga CM, da Costa TL et al. (2016). Elucidating the influence of praziquantel nanosuspensions on the in vivo metabolism of Taenia crassiceps cysticerci. Acta Tropica, 161, 100-05.
  59. Sun Y, Chen D, Pan Y, Qu W, Hao H et al. (2019). Nanoparticles for antiparasitic drug delivery. Drug Delivery, 26(1), 1206-21.
  60. Tabari MA, Poźniak B, Abrishami A, Moradpour AA, Shahavi MH et al. (2021). Antitrichomonal activity of metronidazole-loaded lactoferrin nanoparticles in pigeon trichomoniasis. Parasitology Research, 120(9), 3263-72.
  61. Tiwari R, Gupta RP, Singh VK, Kumar A, Rajneesh et al. (2023). Nanotechnology-based strategies in parasitic disease management: from prevention to diagnosis and treatment. ACS Omega, 8(45), 42014-27.
  62. Torabi N, Dobakhti F, Faghihzadeh S, Haniloo A (2018). In vitro and in vivo effects of chitosan–praziquantel and chitosan–albendazole nanoparticles on Echinococcus granulosus metacestodes. Parasitology Research, 117(7), 2015-23.
  63. Vercruysse J, Charlier J, Van Dijk J, Morgan ER, Geary T et al. (2018). Control of helminth ruminant infections by 2030. Parasitology, 145(13), 1655-64.
  64. Wagner V, Dullaart A, Bock AK, Zweck A (2006). The emerging nanomedicine landscape. Nature Biotechnology, 24(10), 1211-17.
  65. Xie S, Pan B, Wang M, Zhu L, Wang F et al. (2010). Formulation, characterization and pharmacokinetics of praziquantel-loaded hydrogenated castor oil solid lipid nanoparticles. Nanomedicine, 5(5), 693-701.
  66. Xu Y, Zhong X, Zhang X, Lv W, Yu J et al. (2017). Preparation of intravenous injection nanoformulation via co-assemble between cholesterylated gemcitabine and cholesterylated mPEG: enhanced cellular uptake and intracellular drug controlled release. Journal of Microencapsulation, 34(2), 185-94.
  67. Younis MS, Abououf EAER, Ali AES, Abd Elhady SM, Wassef RM (2020). In vitro effect of silver nanoparticles on Blastocystis hominis. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 15, 8167-73.
  68. Yousif HM, Saber M, Mousa SA, Kubesy AA (2023). Efficacy of nano-zinc on skin and wool repair of treated cases of mange in sheep. Comparative Clinical Pathology, 32(4), 553-63.
  69. Zhang ZH, Zhang YL, Zhou JP, Lv HX (2012). Solid lipid nanoparticles modified with stearic acid–octaarginine for oral administration of insulin. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 7, 3333-39.
  70. Zhu X, Radovic-Moreno AF, Wu J, Langer R, Shi J (2014). Nanomedicine in the management of microbial infection – overview and perspectives. Nano Today, 9(4), 478-98.