Nanodelivery of nitazoxanide: impact on the metabolism of cysticerci intracranially inoculated in mice.

To formulate nanocapsules and nanoemulsions of nitazoxanide (NTZ) and evaluate the metabolic effect on cysticerci inoculated intracranially into mice. NTZ nanosystems were formulated through solvent diffusion methodology. These nanoformulations were administered perorally and their impact on glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid metabolism in cysticerci was investigated. Gluconeogenesis and protein catabolism were significantly increased by the nanoformulations when compared with the control group and the NTZ-treated group. All the other metabolic pathways were inhibited by the nanoformulation treatments. The remarkable metabolic modifications that occur in this model through the application of these developed nanosystems confirm their capability to deliver NTZ into targeted tissues.