Plasmodium falciparum malaria is the most common infection in Yemen. The present study aims to investigate changes in hematological and hepatic function indices of P. falciparum infected individuals. This study included 67 suspected falciparum malarial patients attended in clinics and rural Abs Hospital (Tehama, Hajjah), Yemen, from October 2013 to April 2014. The diagnosis of malaria was confirmed by thick and thin film with Giemsa staining of malaria parasite. Hematological parameters and serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin (total and direct) as test indicators of liver function were studied. Patients with parasitaemia tended to have significantly lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, lymphocytes, and platelets, compared with healthy normal subjects. Neutrophils levels were significantly higher in cases of falciparum malaria in comparison to healthy normal subjects. Serums AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin (total and direct) in falciparum malaria patients were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than those of falciparum malaria of free individuals. Hematological and liver dysfunctions measured parameters were seen associated with moderate and severe parasitaemia infection. This study concludes that hematological and hepatic dysfunction parameters could be indicator of malaria in endemic regions.

Cystic echinococcosis is a public health problem in developing countries that practice sheep breeding extensively. In the current study, the protoscolicidal activity of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) derived from Mentha longifolia L. leaf extracts was investigated. The resultant ZnO NPs were characterized by means of various analytical techniques, such as ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The results showed that the ZnO NP had the highest scolicidal activity at 400 ppm concentration after 150 min of exposure time, showing 100% mortality rate. The treated protoscolices exhibited loss of viability with several morphological alterations. Hence, an easy and effective green synthesis of ZnO NPs, with efficient scolicidal potential, is reported in this study.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a highly prevalent parasitic disease resulting from the hydatid cyst of Echinococcus granulosus. It is also described as a zoonotic disease and considered a neglected tropical infection. Aim: This study assessed the antiparasitic activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), against E. granulosus infection in BALB/c mice. Methods: The green synthesis of AgNPs was accomplished using Zizyphus spina-christi leaves. AgNPs were orally administered to BALB/c mice for acute short-term toxicity evaluation, in doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg/kg, and observations for toxic signs were carried out at 24, 48 h, and 14 days, continuously. Moreover, a total of 20 mice divided into two groups were intraperitoneally administered with 1500 viable protoscoleces for secondary hydatidosis infection. Results: The results showed that AgNPs did not induce any adverse effects or signs and no death, in either group of mice. The histopathological findings in the liver, kidneys, and intestine of the mice administered with AgNPs revealed mild histological effects compared with the control ones. The treated-infected mice showed a change in the appearance of the liver hydatid cysts from hyaline to milky cloudy compared with the untreated infected mice. Conclusion: Biosynthesized AgNPs showed anti-hydatic effects and are suggested as anti-echinococcal cyst treatment.

Over the past several years, the greener fabrication of metal oxide nanoparticles has attracted significant attention due to their simplicity, eco-friendliness, availability, and nontoxicity. This paper focused on the fabrication of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) using the leaf extract of Ziziphus spina-christi L. and evaluating its potential biological activities. The characterization of synthesized NiO-NPs was confirmed using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, protoscolicidal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities and hemocompatibility of NiO-NPs were investigated. The findings revealed that the NiO-NPs were crystalline on nanoscale between 50- and 90-nm particle sizes. The NiO-NPs showed high scolicidal activity against Echinococcus granulosus. The viability of the treated protoscoleces exponentially decreased with an increase in the concentration of NiO-NPs. The NiO-NPs exhibited effective antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. NiO-NPs also possess a H2O2 scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. This study revealed that the Z. spina-christi L. leaf extract is an effective reducing and capping agent for the production of NiO-NPs; it showed critical biological properties. Moreover, NiO-NPs have a potent antioxidant activity and low toxicity on the erythrocytes and appear hemocompatible.

Echinococcus granulosus is the etiological agent of cystic echinococcosis, which is globally distributed and considered as a neglected tropical disease. It is one of the most important zoonotic parasitic infections in both humans and animals. This parasite forms hydatid cysts in various organs of numerous hosts including humans. Surgery remains the predominant therapeutic modality, but other methods also play important role in this disease management. Several scolicidal agents are used for inactivation of the protoscoleces within the hydatid cyst during surgery because spillage of hydatid fluid is the major reason for recurrence. Till now, no effective and safe agent is available. Benzimidazole is the only chemical synthetic drug licensed for the treatment of this disease. Usage of this medication is limited owing to its poor water solubility and low bioavailability, as well as its severe adverse effects. As a result, there is a constant motivation toward exploring a novel alternative to prevent the recurrence rate of the disease and to overcome the side effects of synthetic therapy. The current review focuses on the recent efforts toward obtaining better scolicidal compounds including the achievements in the frontiers of Nanomedicine technique. This review highlights the result of newer therapeutic attempts such as, the introducing of biogenic selenium, silver, gold and chitosan nanoparticles as potential agents against cystic echinococcosis in addition to the applying of Nano-carriers drug delivery system that promises to further extend the treatment options.