Anthelmintic effects of zinc oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles against Toxocara vitulorum

In the present study, zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles were examined for their possible, in vitro anthelmintic effects against Toxocara vitulorum. The worms were incubated for 24 h with different concentrations (0.004, 0.008 and 0.012% w/v) of the nanoparticles. The parasite mobility, mortality, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) level were recorded at different time intervals. The results showed that both of the nanoparticles could significantly decrease worm’s mobility, increase mortality rate as well as elevate MDA and NO content as compared to control group in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. SOD activity was elevated with the low concentration of the nanoparticles but it was decreased in higher ones. It can be concluded that ZnO and FeO nanoparticles exert their anthelmintic effects via induction of oxidative/nitrosative stress.