Nanostructured lipid nanoparticles delivering berberine with Se coating: a new nanotherapeutic approach against cryptosporidiosis

Abstract

murine infection model was established. Parasitological burden (oocyst shedding), biochemical markers (ALT and AST), immunological parameters (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10), and TEM ultrastructure of intestinal tissues were assessed. BBR-SeNLCs demonstrated successful berberine encapsulation. Among treatments, BBR-SeNLCs achieved comparable antiparasitic effects, with a notable reduction in oocyst shedding relative to infected controls. Biochemical assays indicate formulation-dependent hepatoprotective trends, particularly in BBR-SeNLCs formulations. Immunologically, Se-containing groups (Se alone and BBR-SeNLCs) displayed a shift toward moderated inflammatory responses (reduced IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6) with preserved or enhanced anti-inflammatory IL-10, suggesting balanced host immunity. Parasitological and ultrastructural analyses corroborated these findings, with BBR-SeNLCs showing preserved intestinal architecture and reduced parasite burden in treated groups.