Fig 1.
Size distribution of Eug-NE using a Zeta-sizer.
Fig 2.
TEM analysis of the formulated Eug-NE.
Fig 3.
FTIR spectra of Eug and formulated Eug-NE.
Fig 4.
Assessment of PC viability by the eosin exclusion test.
Light microscopy (LM) images showing viable evaginated (E) PCs, invaginated (I) unstained PCs, and red dead (D) PCs after 5 min staining with 0.1% eosin stain. H, hooks; C, calcareous corpuscles. (A and B) ×100, (C) × 200, and (D) ×400.
Fig 5.
Mortality rate of PCs with various concentrations of Eug and Eug-NE at different exposure periods.
Table 1.
Correlation between the concentration and exposure time of the scolicidal efficacy of Eug-NE and Eug against hydatid PCs.
Fig 6.
LC50 and LC90 of Eug and Eug-NE at different exposure periods.
Fig 7.
LM changes of PCs stained with 0.1% aqueous eosin stain after 24 h incubation with 0.2 μl/ml Eug, Eug-NE and, ABZ.
(A and B) Control PCs. (A) ×10 and (B) ×200. Red PCs are dead. (C–E) Dead PCs after incubation with Eug-NE. Note the disorganization of rostellar hooks (arrowheads). (C) ×400 and (D) ×1000. Distortion of the soma region with a complete loss of hooks (arrows). (E) ×200. (F–I) Dead PCs after incubation with Eug. (F) Note aggregation and adherence of PCs (arrowheads; ×60). (G) Distortion of protoscolicidal morphology (arrowheads) with leakage of their content (arrow; ×100). (H) Distortion of the soma region with a complete loss of hooks (arrows; ×100). (I) Disorganization of hooks (arrowheads; ×400). (J and K) Altered PCs after incubation with ABZ. (J) Dead protoscolex with several blebs in the tegument (arrowheads) and disorganization of hooks (arrow; ×400). (K) Viable protoscolex with several blebs in the tegument (arrowheads; ×400).
Fig 8.
SEM images of E. granulosus control and treated PCs after 24 h incubation with Eug, Eug-NE, and ABZ.
(A–C) Evaginated control PCs. (A and B) ×1500 and (C) ×750. (D–F) Altered PCs after 24 h incubation with 0.2 μl/ml Eug. A complete loss of rostellar hooks and disruption of suckers can be observed. Contraction of the soma region with the shedding of microtriches and loss of tegumental integrity in the form of holes. (E) ×750 and (D and F) ×1000. (G–I) PCs treated with 0.2 μl/ml Eug-NE. The tegument is markedly damaged with loss of microtriches. Disruption of suckers and disorganization of hooks with partial or complete loss of them can be observed. (G) ×1500, (H) ×2000, and (I) ×1000). (J–L) Treated PCs with 800 μg/ml ABZ showed disorganization of rosetellar hooks and minimal disruption of suckers with tegumental changes as blebs could be observed. (J) ×1000, (K) ×1500, and (L) ×750.