Background & Aims: Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Hydatidosis is one of the zoonotic diseases that cause serious problems for human health, as well as major economic losses for livestock industry. Different chemicals have been used in the treatment of cysts. The development of new scolicidal agents with low side effects and more efficacies is an urgent need. The aim of this study was to investigate the scolicidal effect of gold nanoparticle on protoscoleces in vitro.

Materials & Methods: Liver hydatid cysts were collected from slaughterhouse: the cysts fluid containing live protoscolex were aspirated aseptically. Protoscoleces were exposed to three concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg per ml) of gold nanoparticle. The viability of the protoscoleces was determined by eosin staining method at the times 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes.

Results: Gold nanoparticle of all concentrations had significant scolicidal effects compared with control group (p < 0.05). Gold nanoparticle at the concentration of 1 mg/ml led to kill all protoscoleces at 60 minutes.

Conclusion: The findings of this study show that gold nanoparticle have potent scolicidal effects against protoscoleces of hydatid cyst, therefore it may be used in treatment of hydatid cyst.