Abstract
Haemonchus contortus
is an infectious gastrointestinal nematode parasite of small ruminants. This study addresses the
in vitro
/
in vivo
anti-haemonchiasis potential, toxicological effects, and mechanism of action of nanoparticles. Online databases were used to search and retrieve the published literature (2000 to 2021). A total of 18 articles were selected and reviewed, out of which, 13 (72.2%) studies reported
in vitro
, 9 (50.0%)
in vivo
, and 4 (22.2%) both
in vitro
/
in vivo
efficacy of different nanoparticles. Mostly, organic nanoparticles (77.7%) were used including polymeric (85.7%) and lipid nanoparticles (14.3%). The highest efficacy,
in vitro
, of 100% resulted from using encapsulated bromelain against eggs, larvae, and adult worm mortality at 4, 2, and 1 mg/ml, respectively. While
in vivo
, encapsulated
Eucalyptus staigeriana
oil reduced worm burden by 83.75% and encapsulated
Cymbopogon citratus
nano-emulsion by 83.1%. Encapsulated bromelain, encapsulated
Eucalyptus staigeriana
oil, and encapsulated
Cymbopogon citratus
nano-emulsion were safe and non-toxic
in vivo
. Encapsulated bromelain damaged the cuticle, caused paralysis, and death. Nanoparticles could be a potential source for developing novel anthelmintic drugs to overcome the emerging issue of anthelmintic resistance in
H. contortus
. Studies on molecular effects, toxicological consequences, and different pharmacological targets of nanoparticles are required in future research.