Therapeutic Effects of Green Synthesized Copper Nanoparticles Against Hydatid Disease Through Inhibiting Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis

Purpose: This study aimed to green synthesized copper nanoparticles (CNP) using Lupinus arcticus extract and assess the protoscolicidal effects and the effectiveness of these nanoparticles in experimental animal settings to combat hydatid cysts. Methods: The protoscolicidal properties of CNP were examined in vitro on hydatid cyst PS via the eosin exclusion assay. The in vivo effectiveness of CNP at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day for 28 days on hydatid cyst-infected mice was determined by assessing the number, size, weight of hydatid cysts the gene expression levels of caspase-3, antioxidant (glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) and inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)) in the infected mice were also assessed by Real-time PCE. Results: Analyses revealed that the CNP had a spherical shape, ranging in size from 10 to 85 nm. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for CNP against protoscoleces ranged from 39.9 to 341.3 µg/mL. Caspase-3 gene expression in the PS treated with CNP at 1/3 IC50, ½ IC50, and IC50 was 1.79-, 3.11-, and 5.39-fold change (p < 0.001). Upon administration of CNP, particularly at doses of 80 mg/kg, a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in hydatid cysts’ quantity, size, and weight was evident. CNP treatment caused a notable reduction in oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines and increased the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (p < 0.001), whereas it modulated the serum levels of liver function parameters. Conclusion: The study indicated the potential of green-synthesized CNP for eliminating the protoscoleces and in managing hydatid cysts through leveraging its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Nevertheless, additional investigations are necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action and evaluate its effectiveness in clinical trials. Clinical Trial Number: Not applicable.