Targeted drug delivery using Beeswax derived Albendazole-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in Haemonchus contortus, an albendazole tolerant nematode.

Targeted delivery has not been achieved for anthelmintic treatment, leading to excess drugs and side effects for therapeutics. For that, drug-loaded, biocompatible nanoparticles were made using lipids that helminths uptake as a food source. The formulation showed excellent drug (albendazole) loading efficiency of ~83.3 mg/g with sustained-release properties and showed ~86.4 % of drug release within 24 h. Furthermore, upon ingestion of Rhodamine B loaded particles by Haemonchus contortus, a time-dependent release of dye was observed in the alimentary canal followed by dissemination in the whole worm. The intestinal sustained-release property was shown by the particles that caused enhancement of albendazole potency for up to 50 folds. Therefore, this formulation has immense potential as an anthelminthic drug delivery vehicle that will not only be able to reduce the dose but will also reduce the drug-induced side effects by enhancing the bioavailability of the drug.