Antiparasitic Activity of <i>Hedera helix</i> Extract-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles in Experimentally Induced Giardiasis.

ABSTRACT: Giardiasis, caused by Giardia duodenalis, is a common gastrointestinal infection. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Hedera helix leaf extract (HLE) and HLE-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (HLE-CsNPs) against Giardia duodenalis isolates from individuals with gastrointestinal issues, using an experimental rat model. Stool samples from 147 participants were analyzed for Giardia duodenalis, with positive samples further characterized by nested PCR-RFLP, revealing a 4.8% prevalence, all belonging to assemblage B. Ten groups of male albino rats were used to evaluate the antigiardial activity of various treatments. This included five non-infected groups [one untreated and four treated with HLE, HLE-CsNPs, CsNPs, and metronidazole (MTZ)] and five infected groups

SUBMITTER: El-Wahsh HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12944906 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature