Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 14 2 2019 06 18 269 279 EN Safa ARYAMAND Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Shahram KHADEMVATAN Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Khosrow HAZRATI TAPPEH Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Behnam HESHMATIAN Department of Physiology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Ali JELODAR Department of Medical Parasitology, Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2017 10 10 2018 05 21 Background: We aimed to investigate the scolicidal effects of Holothuria leucospilota extract and CeO2 nanoparticles against protoscoleces of hydatid cysts in-vitro and in-vivo. Methods: Hydatid cysts were collected from, Urmia slaughterhouses between years 2016-2017 and the hydatid fluid aspirated from the fertile cysts. Various concentration of H. leucospilota extract, CeO2 NPs and combination of CeO2-NPs/H. leucospilota were used for 10-60 min to evaluate the viability of protoscoleces by 0.1% eosin method. CASPASE -3 activity measured for assessment of cell apoptosis in treated protoscoleces. BALB/c mice were infected intraperitoneally with 2000 viable protoscoleces and treated daily for 4 wk by intragastrical inoculation with H. leucospilota, CeO2 NPs, combination of CeO2 NPs/H. leucospilota and Albendazole. Cyst development was macroscopically analyzed. Results: H. leucospilota extract and combination of CeO2 NPs/H. leucospilota have potent scolicidal activity at concentration of 20 mg/ml and 15 mg/ml after 60 min treatment. Maximum caspase-3 activity was observed when protoscoleces expose with H. leucospilota and combination H. leucospilota & CeO2 NPs. After treatment of cyst infected mice with extract and CeO2 NPs, combination of CeO2 NPs/H leucospilota and albendazole, a significant decrease in number of cysts, size and volume of cyst (P<0.05) was observed. Conclusion: This result shows an antihydatic and scolicidal effects of H. leucospilota extract and CeO2 NPs. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/1820 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/1820/942