protoscolicidal effects of crude extract of nigella sativa and its nanoparticles on hydatic cyst protoscoleses in vitro

Hydatic cyst disease, caused by the parasite echinococcus granulosus, is highly prevalent in livestock-breeding areas (1). the primary treatment for this disease involves surgery often accompanied by the use of protoscolecidal agents to reduce the risk of recurrence (2). due to concerns about side effects and drug residues, the use of medicinal plants and novel methods has gained increasing attention (3). the aim of this study was to investigate the scolicidal effects of nigella sativae extract and its nanoparticles on protoscolices of hydatic cysts under in vitro conditions. hydatic cyst-infected livers and lungs were obtained from a slaughterhouse in sanandaj. these were then transferred to the parasitology laboratory for the extraction of protoscolices, processing and subsequent experimental procedures. in this study, the scolicidal effects of five different concentrations (5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, and 100%) of n. sativa extract and its nanoparticles were evaluated at time intervals of 10, 30, 60, and 120 min when exposed to protoscolices. the results showed that as both concentration and time were increased, the viability of protoscolices was decreased. the highest number of live protoscolices was observed at 10 min, while the lowest was at 60 min. with increasing concentration, the number of protoscolices showed a decreasing trend which was statistically significant (p > 0.001). based on the findings of this study, n. sativa nanoparticles could be used as a protoscolicidal agent in hydatic cyst surgery.