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<p>Toxoplasmosis remains one of the most persistent and widespread zoonotic parasitic infections. It is caused by a protozoan parasite named <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>. It poses risks to food-producing and companion animals, affects public health, and impacts economic status. In livestock, it causes reproductive failures in sheep, goats, and cattle, while subclinical infections in camels, poultry, and pigs contribute to increasing human exposure to contaminated food. The drawbacks associated with standard medications necessitate the development of safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. In this study, peppermint and lavender essential oil nano-emulsions were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as candidate antiparasitic agents against <i>T. gondii</i> compared to spiramycin. The nano-emulsions were prepared through ultrasonication and characterized in terms of size, charge, and morphology. Their potential cytotoxic effect was evaluated on a normal gastric epithelial cell line, indicating a dose-dependent effect. Their antiparasitic efficacy was first assessed in vitro against tachyzoites, revealing a toxoplasmacidal effect. In vivo efficacy and effect on internal organs were investigated using a well-established animal model for toxoplasmosis, Swiss-albino mice. Treatment outcomes were evaluated through survival analysis, parasite load counting, biochemical and immunological markers, and histopathology examination. Both nano-emulsions significantly reduced tachyzoite burden and prolonged survival time compared with untreated infected animals. Furthermore, electron microscopic analysis of treated tachyzoites showed that both nano-emulsions induced membrane rupture and shape deformation. Overall, both nano-emulsions showed potent antiparasitic activity against <i>T. gondii</i>, with Peppermint nano-emulsion exhibiting a balanced therapeutic window, offering efficacy with minimal systemic risk. These findings highlight the potential application of plant-derived essential oils-based nano-emulsions as promising therapeutic candidates against acute toxoplasmosis.</p>

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Antiparasitic activity of peppermint and lavender essential oil nano-emulsions against Toxoplasma gondii RH strain in vitro and in vivo

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月26日

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  • Dalia M. El-Husseini,
  • Fadwa M Arafa,
  • Dalia M. A. Elmasry,
  • Naglaa Mohammed Alkalamawy,
  • Mostafa R. Zaher,
  • Samr Kassem

摘要

Toxoplasmosis remains one of the most persistent and widespread zoonotic parasitic infections. It is caused by a protozoan parasite named Toxoplasma gondii. It poses risks to food-producing and companion animals, affects public health, and impacts economic status. In livestock, it causes reproductive failures in sheep, goats, and cattle, while subclinical infections in camels, poultry, and pigs contribute to increasing human exposure to contaminated food. The drawbacks associated with standard medications necessitate the development of safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. In this study, peppermint and lavender essential oil nano-emulsions were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as candidate antiparasitic agents against T. gondii compared to spiramycin. The nano-emulsions were prepared through ultrasonication and characterized in terms of size, charge, and morphology. Their potential cytotoxic effect was evaluated on a normal gastric epithelial cell line, indicating a dose-dependent effect. Their antiparasitic efficacy was first assessed in vitro against tachyzoites, revealing a toxoplasmacidal effect. In vivo efficacy and effect on internal organs were investigated using a well-established animal model for toxoplasmosis, Swiss-albino mice. Treatment outcomes were evaluated through survival analysis, parasite load counting, biochemical and immunological markers, and histopathology examination. Both nano-emulsions significantly reduced tachyzoite burden and prolonged survival time compared with untreated infected animals. Furthermore, electron microscopic analysis of treated tachyzoites showed that both nano-emulsions induced membrane rupture and shape deformation. Overall, both nano-emulsions showed potent antiparasitic activity against T. gondii, with Peppermint nano-emulsion exhibiting a balanced therapeutic window, offering efficacy with minimal systemic risk. These findings highlight the potential application of plant-derived essential oils-based nano-emulsions as promising therapeutic candidates against acute toxoplasmosis.