Effectiveness of Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Derived From <i>Coriandrum sativum</i>: A Novel Nanomedicine Strategy Against Coccidiosis

Nanomedicine has emerged as a promising solution for treating various diseases. This study inspected the in vivo anticoccidial efficacy of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (Bio-ZnNPs) from Coriandrum sativum leaves in mice infected with Eimeria papillata. Bio-ZnNPs were described using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Five groups of mice were applied: a control group (uninfected), a Bio-ZnNPs group (uninfected, receiving 50 mg/kg of Bio-ZnNPs), an infection group (untreated, infected with 10³ sporulated oocysts), an INF + Bio-ZnNPs group (infected, treated with Bio-ZnNPs, 50 mg/kg), and an INF + AC group (infected, treated with amprolium, 120 mg/kg). The treatments lasted for 5 days. Bio-ZnNPs were spherical, averaging 35.79 ± 7.47 nm in diameter, with a peak absorption at 300.06 nm and four diffraction peaks in the XRD spectrum. An increased excretion of oocysts was found in the INF mice group. Notable jejunal histopathological anomalies were marked by an elevation in total endogenous parasitic oocysts. There was also an increase in immunohistochemical (IHC) staining intensity of caspase-3 and enhanced antioxidant and apoptotic activity. Treatment with Bio-ZnNPs reduced oocyst excretion, improved jejunal mucosal status, and significantly decreased total parasitic stages. Post-treatment, caspase-3 levels and its IHC expression decreased, and jejunal GPX levels declined. Apoptotic gene expression showed a significant downregulation of caspase-3 and BAX, with BCL2 upregulation. Overall, Bio-ZnNPs effectively suppressed E. papillata proliferation in infected mice, suggesting their potential utility in the treatment of eimeriosis.