A Review on the Use of Nanoparticles in the Treatment

Nanoparticles are dispersed droplets or solid particles with a size of 10-100nm which are made in different shapes. Nanoparticles have received more attention as antiparasitic drugs in recent years since current antiparasitic drugs have some side effects and their efficacy is not proved yet. Nanoparticles are currently used in cancer treatment and gold and silver nanoparticles have a long history in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However، far too little attention has been paid to the potential use of gold derivatives against parasitic diseases. In this paper recent developments in the use of gold nanoparticles as anti-parasitic drugs، with emphasis on the major tropical diseases such as Malaria، Leishmaniasis، Schistosomiasis and Trypanosomiasis are reviewed. These diseases affect millions of people worldwide and are involved with many limitations in treatment methods. Some researches indicate that silver nanoparticles، gold، chitosan، and oxidized metals have growth inhibitory or cytotoxic effect on various parasites، including Giardia، Leishmania، Malaria، Toxoplasma and insect larva. Some studies also evaluated the health effects of nanoparticles، such as gold and silver on particular protozoa specially Leishmania and Malaria. Nanoparticles could be used against parasites individually or in combination. Therefore، nanoparticles are recommended for destroying parasites (cytotoxic and inhibitory effect)، making more effective and less harmful drugs and also beneficial vaccines for the prevention and control of the parasites.