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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDDiscover nano

Nanotechnology-based strategies for helminth control: drug delivery, green nanoparticles, mechanisms, and translational barriers.

  • Bijan Esmaeilnejad1
  • Sayyed Jafar Hasani2,3
  • Awat Samiei4
  • Armin Fakheri5
  • Hamid Akbari6
  • Rahim Molaei7
  • Farnaz Malekifard5
  • Alireza Ghorbani5
7 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. [email protected].
  2. 2Department of Basic Medical Sciences, khoy University of Medical Sciences, khoy, Iran.
  3. 3Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
  4. 4Food and Beverages Safety Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
  5. 5Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
  6. 6Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
  7. 7Materials Synthesis Laboratory, Carbon Tech Industrial Group, Carbon Tech, Tehran, Iran.
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Abstract

Parasitic helminth infections remain a major global health burden in humans and livestock, with treatment hindered by drug resistance, poor bioavailability, and rapid degradation of conventional anthelmintics. Nanotechnology offers effective alternatives through nanocarrier systems (polymeric, lipid, metallic, and green-synthesized) that enhance drug solubility, stability, targeted delivery, and sustained release, while reducing toxicity. These nanomaterials exert anthelmintic effects through tegumental disruption, oxidative stress induction, metabolic interference, and immune modulation. Several preclinical studies have reported improved efficacy, bioavailability, or dose-sparing potential compared with conventional formulations; however, the available evidence remains heterogeneous. However, clinical translation faces barriers including scale-up, regulatory hurdles, and environmental safety concerns. This review critically evaluates current nanotechnological platforms, identifies key mechanistic pathways, and outlines future research directions within a One Health framework to guide the development of effective and sustainable nanoscale anthelmintic therapies.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{esmaeilnejad2026nanotechnologybased,
  title = {{Nanotechnology-based strategies for helminth control: drug delivery, green nanoparticles, mechanisms, and translational barriers.}},
  author = {Bijan Esmaeilnejad and Sayyed Jafar Hasani and Awat Samiei and Armin Fakheri and Hamid Akbari and Rahim Molaei and Farnaz Malekifard and Alireza Ghorbani},
  journal = {Discover nano},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1186/s11671-026-05050-2},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42905342},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Nanotechnology-based strategies for helminth control: drug delivery, green nanoparticles, mechanisms, and translational barriers.
AU  - Bijan Esmaeilnejad
AU  - Sayyed Jafar Hasani
AU  - Awat Samiei
AU  - Armin Fakheri
AU  - Hamid Akbari
AU  - Rahim Molaei
AU  - Farnaz Malekifard
AU  - Alireza Ghorbani
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/21
JO  - Discover nano
DO  - 10.1186/s11671-026-05050-2
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42905342
AB  - Parasitic helminth infections remain a major global health burden in humans and livestock, with treatment hindered by drug resistance, poor bioavailability, and rapid degradation of conventional anthelmintics. Nanotechnology offers effective alternatives through nanocarrier systems (polymeric, lipid, metallic, and green-synthesized) that enhance drug solubility, stability, targeted delivery, and sustained release, while reducing toxicity. These nanomaterials exert anthelmintic effects through tegumental disruption, oxidative stress induction, metabolic interference, and immune modulation. Several preclinical studies have reported improved efficacy, bioavailability, or dose-sparing potential compared with conventional formulations; however, the available evidence remains heterogeneous. However, clinical translation faces barriers including scale-up, regulatory hurdles, and environmental safety concerns. This review critically evaluates current nanotechnological platforms, identifies key mechanistic pathways, and outlines future research directions within a One Health framework to guide the development of effective and sustainable nanoscale anthelmintic therapies.
SN  - 2731-9229
ER  -