DL-Camphor

• CAS: 76-22-2
• Catalog Number: ALC-FP-76222
• Category: Featured Products
• Molecular Weight: 152.23 g/mol
• Molecular Formula: C10H16O
• Appearance: White solid
• Sample Lot No.: A24Q4806J09K

Case Study

Zinc-Camphor Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Chitosan Exhibit Potent Scolicidal and Anti-Hydatid Effects via Apoptosis Induction, DNA Damage, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Amirafshari H, et al. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2025, 188, 118128.

This study successfully synthesized zinc nanoparticles (ZNP) encapsulated within a chitosan-camphor matrix (ZNP-CC) and evaluated their efficacy against Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces (PTX) and hydatid cysts. The ZNP were produced via precipitation from zinc nitrate and camphor solutions under alkaline conditions, followed by encapsulation in chitosan through gel formation at neutral pH, yielding a stable chitosan-coated nanoparticle system.
Biologically, ZNP-CC demonstrated potent in vitro and ex vivo scolicidal activity, achieving complete PTX mortality at concentrations of 10-15 mg/mL. Mechanistically, ZNP-CC treatment induced apoptosis via caspase-3 activation and caused >2-fold upregulation of DNA damage-associated genes, indicating a direct cytotoxic effect on the parasite. In vivo, ZNP-CC administration in mice significantly reduced hydatid cyst number, size, and weight, while improving oxidative stress profiles by enhancing GPx and SOD activities. The combination of ZNP-CC with albendazole (AZ) further suppressed pro-inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, NF-κB p65, TLR4, and IL-1β, without altering liver function parameters, highlighting a favorable safety profile.