Biological activity of nickel oxide nanoparticles against Leishmania tropica in vitro

Abstract

The development of Leishmania culture techniques has progressed significantly since the early 20th century, from simple media with limited success in supporting long-term growth to sophisticated formulations enriched with nutrients and vitamins that better mimic the parasite's natural environment. These advances have enhanced the reliability and reproducibility of culture methods, laying a solid
foundation for biomedical research and pharmaceutical applications. Currently, anaerobic culture systems enable the maintenance of various Leishmania species in the laboratory under controlled conditions, supporting research into parasite biology, pathogenesis, and drug response. The application of standardized protocols also ensures the consistency of experimental results, particularly in assessing parasite susceptibility to emerging antileishmanial agents. Recent findings highlight the potential of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) as catalytic additives in culture media, as they produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disrupt cell membrane integrity, altering parasite metabolism. The incorporation of nickel oxide nanoparticles into conventional media may provide new opportunities to enhance culture efficiency and deepen our understanding of nano-parasite interactions.