Thymoquinone loaded on chitosan nanoparticles alleviated the consequences of cryptosporidiosis infection in a murine model: Evidence from parasitological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and immunological studies.

Cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic zoonosis caused by the genus Cryptosporidium (C.), currently lacks a vaccine or fully effective treatment. Nitazoxanide (NTZ), the only medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating cryptosporidiosis, exhibits limited efficacy in immunosuppressed hosts. Thymoquinone (THQ), the active component of Nigella sativa, possesses immunomodulatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiprotozoal properties. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of THQ alone or loaded onto chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) against Cryptosporidium parvum infection compared to NTZ.