Background: Hydatid cyst is one of the most common cysts detected in the liver. Surgery is the preferred
approach in treatment, but surgery may have serious complications as anaphylaxis, implantation of
scolices, and formation of secondary cysts. Medical treatment with surgery decreases probability of these
complications.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of Nigella sativa oil (NSO), Albendazole (ABZ) and chitosan
nanoparticles (CS NPs) as drug carrier to increase the efficacy of ABZ and NSO.
Material and Methods: Mice were infected with E. granulosus scolices and classified according to drugs
schedule into five groups (G): G (3) was infected and treated with ABZ; G (4) was infected and treated with
NSO; G (5) was infected and treated with NSO and ABZ; G (6) was infected and treated with ABZ loaded
on CS NPs, G (7) was infected and treated with NSO loaded on CS NPs. Two control groups were assigned:
G (1) was non infected non treated and G (2) was infected non treated. Four months post infection, mice
were sacrificed and collected livers of each group were sectioned for histopathology.
Results: Histopathological studies revealed that groups treated with drugs loaded on CS NPs contained no
hydatid cysts with improvement in the degree of inflammation, necrosis, and congestion of hepatic tissue.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the best curative effect was observed in groups treated with drugs
loaded on CS NPs.