Control of rodent sleeping sickness disease by surface functionalized amorphous nanosilica

TL;DR

This study explores surface functionalized amorphous nanosilica as a novel therapeutic agent for trypanosomiasis, potentially offering a safer alternative to current drugs with severe side effects.

Contribution

It introduces a new application of surface modified amorphous nanosilica molecules as an effective treatment for sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma sp.

Findings

Nanosilica effectively absorbs HDL components, limiting Trypanosoma growth.

Developed nanosilica from volcanic soil and diatomaceous earth with specific size and pore characteristics.

Amorphous silica is safe for veterinary and human use according to WHO and USDA standards.

Abstract

Wild animals, pets, zoo animals and mammals of veterinary importance heavily suffer from trypanosomiasis. Drugs with serious side effects are currently mainstay of therapies used by veterinarians. Trypanosomiasis is caused by Trypanosoma sp. leading to sleeping sickness in humans. Surface modified (hydrophobic and lipophilic) amorphous nanoporous silica molecules could be effectively used as therapeutic drug for combating trypanosomiasis. The amorphous nanosilica was developed by top-down approach using volcanic soil derived silica (Advasan; 50- 60 nm size with 3-10 nm inner pore size range) and diatomaceous earth (FS; 60-80 nm size with 3-5 nm inner pore size range) as source materials. According to WHO and USDA standards amorphous silica has long been used as feed additives for several veterinary industries and considered to be safe for human consumption. The basic mechanism of action of these nanosilica molecules is mediated by the physical absorption of HDL components in the lipophilic nanopores of nanosilica. This reduces the supply of the host derived cholesterol, thus limiting the growth of the Trypanosoma sp. in vivo.