Microencapsulated oxfendazole modulates neuroinflammation in experimental Taenia crassiceps neurocysticercosis

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium, is the leading cause of acquired epilepsy in developing countries and an increasing public health concern in developed regions. Albendazole (ABZ) and praziquantel are the mainstays of current treatment, but their effectiveness is constrained by their poor absorption in the central nervous system and the worsening of inflammatory reactions after parasite degeneration. This neuroinflammation brought on by the medication poses a serious safety risk. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory and histopathological effects of oxfendazole microparticles (OXF-MICRO) in a murine model of Taenia crassiceps NCC. BALB/c mice intracranially infected with cysticerci were treated 30 days post-infection with a single oral dose of ABZ (40 mg/kg), conventional oxfendazole (OXF, 30 mg/kg), or OXFMICRO (30 mg/kg). Brain cytokine levels were quantified 24 h post-treatment using cytometric bead array, and histopathological analyses were performed. All treatments induced cyst degeneration and significantly reduced TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-10 levels, indicating disruption of parasite-induced immune tolerance. Distinct immune profiles were observed: OXF promoted a Th1-type response (increased IFN-γ and IL-2), whereas OXFMICRO and ABZ induced a Th2-skewed response (elevated IL-4). Notably, only OXF-MICRO significantly reduced polymorphonuclear cell infiltration in brain tissue (p = 0.029). These findings demonstrate that OXFMICRO preserves antiparasitic efficacy while attenuating acute inflammatory infiltration, suggesting an improved safety profile. Collectively, these results support microencapsulation as a promising strategy to enhance therapeutic outcomes in NCC.