Nephrotoxicity of Albendazole and Albendazole-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in Mice with Experimental Hydatidosis

Purposes: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious contemporary public health problem.Different CE treatment methods are of considerable importance, with albendazole (ABZ) beingone of the most preferred drugs for CE treatment and prophylaxis. In this study, we evaluated thenephrotoxicity caused by ABZ and ABZ-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) in mice withexperimental hydatid cyst.Methods: ABZ-loaded SLNs were produced by micro-emulsification and a high shearhomogenization technique. Thereafter, we evaluated the physicochemical characterization ofthe product. Live protoscolices were injected into mice to induce experimental hydatidosis.Mice were then treated with ABZ and ABZ-loaded SLNs. The nephrotoxicity effects wereevaluated by biochemical and histopathological surveys.Results: Significantly different blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were observed between thetwo infected groups (ABZ treatment and ABZ-loaded SLN treatment) and the control group.The kidney malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels of the infected groups werenot significantly different from those of the control group. The histopathological study revealednephropathic and pathologic changes in the ABZ and ABZ-loaded SLN groups.Conclusion: ABZ formulated for ABZ-loaded SLNs had a more prominent chemoprophylacticefficacy on CE and fewer side effects than ABZ alone. Neither ABZ nor ABZ-loaded SLNscaused significant biochemical and histopathological defects on the kidney, and all functionalbiochemical markers stayed within the normal range. Therefore, ABZ-loaded SLNs could be apotential new product for CE treatment.