Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) and methanolic extract of Persian Gulf brown algae (Sargassum oligocystum) on the growth and cell death of T. gondii tachyzoites in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Six to eightweekold female BALB/c mice (n = 28) were used for the treatment experiment and infected with 105 T. gondii tachyzoites. Four days after treatment, IFN-γ and the levels of splenic lymphocyte proliferation were measured. All the groups were challenged with T. gondii, and the survival rate of experimental mice was assessed. The effects of TiO2NPs and S. oligocystum on the proliferation of T. gondii were evaluated by MTT and annexin V staining in vitro. Results: Based on the results, the combination of S. oligocystum extract and TiO2NPs had more cytotoxic effect compared to their use separately. The results of challenge test also revealed that mice received combined treatment had the highest life time expectancy than those receiving the treatment alone. Conclusion: The simultaneous use of immunomodulatory compounds for the stimulation of the immune system as well as S. oligocystum and TiO2NPs with antiparasitic activity can be promising to develop an effective drug for the treatment of toxoplasmos.

Background: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) could be a source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation with potential harmful effects. Objectives: We assessed the effects of ultraviolet radiation on leukocyte and platelet counts in rats and also investigated the preservative effects of curcumin on hematologic disorders caused by UV radiation. Methods: We randomly divided 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats into six groups (n = 8). Two control groups received ethyl oleate (0.2 mL, IP) for 10 (group I) and 30 days (group II), without exposure to fluorescent light. Two fluorescent groups treated daily with 12 hours fluorescent light exposure for 10 (group III) and 30 days (group IV). Group V and VI received curcumin (20 µmol, IP) and 12 hours fluorescent light exposure for 10 and 30 days, respectively. The blood samples were collected and the leukocyte indexes were measured by cell counter and blood smears were obtained.Results: The number of leukocytes was significantly lower in groups III (8.36 ± 0.23 × 10 3 /µL) and IV (7.85 ± 0.18 × 10 3 /µL) compared with groups I (8.78 ± 0.14 × 10 3 /µL) and II (8.50 ± 0.20 × 10 3 /µL). (P value III:I = 0.004, IV:II < 0.0001). The number of leukocytes insignificantly increased to normal levels of 8.85 ± 0.29 × 10 3 /µL and 8.30 ± 0.16 × 10 3 /µL in groups V and VI, respectively (P value V:I = 0.79, VI:II = 0.09). The number of platelets (PLTs) was significantly lower in the groups IV and VI in comparison with the group II (750 ± 6.52 × 10 3 /µL, 808 ± 2.13 × 10 3 /µL and 846 ± 2.73 × 10 3 /µL, respectively (P value IV:II < 0.0001, VI:II < 0.0001). In the morphological pattern of leukocytes, the CFLs lead to atopic cells, bond cells, and cell lysis, however, administration of curcumin prevented this disturbance. Conclusions: Curcumin has a protective role in reducing complications caused by CFLs in reduced leukocyte and platelet counts, which is probably due to its antioxidant agent.

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