Development of chitosan based gold nanomaterial as an efficient antifilarial agent: A mechanistic approach.

The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been synthesized biogenically by using black pepper (Piper nigrum) extract according to the principles of green chemistry in presence and absence of a biopolymer, chitosan. A comprehensive study (up to cellular level) on the antifilarial (against Setaria cervi) activity of AuNPs has been made for the first time with a view to use it clinically. The bioactivity of biopolymer capped biogenic AuNP increases significantly compared to simple biogenic AuNP. The biopolymer plays an important role in inspiring AuNP through its inherent positive charges and hydrophobicity. The developed nanomaterial boosts the production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and misbalances the antioxidant parameters of parasites such as GSH, GST, GPx, SOD and catalase. The produced ROS ultimately induces oxidative stress, which leads to apoptotic cell death in filarial worms. The synthesized nanomaterials exhibit negligible toxicity towards human PBMCs. The present study may serve as a fruitful platform to explore biopolymer capped gold nanoparticles as efficient antifilarial therapeutics.

Carbohydrate polymer inspired silver nanoparticles for filaricidal and mosquitocidal activities: A comprehensive view.

The carbohydrate polymer inspired silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are designed and synthesized through ultrasound assisted green process using unique combination of a biomolecule (tyrosine) and a natural polymer (starch). A comprehensive mechanistic study on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated filaricidal (against Setaria cervi) and mosquitocidal (against second and fourth instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus) activities of AgNPs has been made for the first time for controlling filariasis by taking care of both filariid and its vector. The mechanism may help in formulating antifilarial drug based on carbohydrate polymer inspired AgNPs. The role of carbohydrate polymer in inspiring bioactivity of AgNPs has been looked into and its activities have been compared with the commercially available AgNPs. Cytotoxicity of AgNPs on macrophages of Wistar rat has been evaluated to ensure its selectivity towards filariid and larvae.