A paradigm shift in trichinellosis management: curcumin-olive oil nanocomposite's multi-faceted therapeutic approach.

BACKGROUND

Trichinella spiralis, a globally widespread zoonotic parasite, poses significant health and economic burdens due to its complex life cycle and the scarcity of effective, multi-stage treatments.

METHODS

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a novel curcumin-olive oil nanocomposite (CO-NC) against three critical stages of T. spiralis infection in a murine model: adult worms (3-5 days post-inoculation, dpi), newborn larvae (8-10 dpi), and encapsulated larvae (33-35 dpi). CO-NC exhibited potent, stage-specific, and dose-dependent antiparasitic activity.

RESULTS

Remarkably, a 100 mg/kg dose achieved complete eradication of both newborn and encapsulated larvae, mirroring the efficacy of the current standard treatment, albendazole (50 mg/kg). This high dose also significantly reduced adult worm burdens by 91.6%. Even at a lower dose of 50 mg/kg, CO-NC demonstrated substantial activity, reducing adult worms and encapsulated larvae by 55.2% and 43.8%, respectively. Beyond its direct antiparasitic effects, CO-NC (100 mg/kg) significantly mitigated infection-induced oxidative stress by restoring key redox markers in muscle and intestinal tissues, including xanthine oxidase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, complementary in vitro studies revealed superior anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of CO-NC compared to crude curcumin and standard reference compounds at their respective IC50 values.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight CO-NC as a promising multi-faceted therapeutic candidate for trichinellosis, offering potent antiparasitic efficacy comparable to albendazole alongside valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This integrated approach underscores the potential of CO-NC as an innovative and comprehensive solution for the challenges posed by T. spiralis infections.