BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology · Published 2026-06-10 · DOI 10.1186/s40360-026-01152-w
Sidra Altaf, Faqir Muhammad, Rao Zahid Abbas, Mostafa A. Abdel-Maksoud, Salman Alrokayan, Ahmed Othman Alsabih
Abstract Background Organophosphate (OP) poisoning poses a critical global health challenge due to the absence of specific antidotes. Profenofos (PRF), an organophosphate pesticide, is associated with severe toxicity and high risk of mortality. In this study, a novel biomimetic nanoformulation was synthesized and evaluated for its detoxification effectiveness and safety against profenofos. Methods The nanoformulation consisted of red blood cell (RBC) membrane-coated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (RBC-PLGA NPs). RBC membranes were used to cloak PLGA nanoparticles, and the formulation was characterized using a zeta sizer, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In vitro assays were performed to evaluate the adsorption of profenofos, while in vivo studies were conducted to assess survival rate, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and hepatotoxic and renal toxicity markers in a rabbit model. Results RBC-PLGA NPs effectively adsorbed profenofos, with removal efficiencies reaching up to 89.92% at a concentration of 4 mg/mL. In vivo experiments showed a significant increase in survival rates following treatment with RBC-PLGA NPs. Moreover, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in erythrocytes was restored by the fourth day post-treatment, and no substantial hepatotoxicity or renal toxicity was observed. Conclusions This study demonstrates that RBC membrane-coated PLGA nanoparticles effectively detoxify profenofos, significantly enhancing survival rate and restoring acetylcholinesterase activity without inducing notable toxicity. This work highlights a biomimetic nanoplatform that mimics erythrocyte functionality for toxin detoxification, offering a potential approach for the management of organophosphate poisoning. Graphical Abstract
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Altaf, S., Muhammad, F., Abbas, R., et al. (2026). Nanotechnology-based detoxification of profenofos using red blood cell membrane-coated polymeric nanoparticles. BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40360-026-01152-w