In vitro - in vivo studies of albendazole microparticles for the treatment of Toxocara canis larva migrans infection

BARRERA, M. G.; LEONARDI, D.; BOLMARO, R. E.; ECHENIQUE, C.; OLIVIERI, A. C.; SALOMÓN, C. J.; LAMAS, M. C.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2010 vol. 75 p. 451 - 454

0939-6411

Albendazole is a benzimidazole derivative with proven efficacy against many parasites such as intestinal helminths. Toxocariasis is one of the important parasitic diseases in humans and animals caused by Toxocara canis. It is well known that T. canis larvae migrate in paratenic hosts, including humans where it may cause visceral larva migrans. Thus, the present research was carried out using in vivo experiments with the aim of finding whether novel albendazole microparticles would be active against migrating larvae of the parasite. Albendazole?chitosan microparticles were prepared by ionotropic gelation with sodium lauryl sulphate or by a liquid-liquid phase separation with sodium hydroxide. The evaluation of larva migration showed that albendazole microparticles exhibited a greater anthelmintic effect in the brain (0 larva/mouse). In addition, it was also found that liver and lung showed a significant decrease in the number of larvae. Therefore, these data suggest that albendazole?chitosan microparticles are effective formulations for the treatment of toxocariasis infection by reducing the number of larvae in liver and lung. Particularly, these polymeric preparations were able to totally prevent migration of larvae to the brain.