Detection of enzymes dehydrogenases and proteases inBrugia malayi filarial parasites

Comparative Efficacy of Diethylcarbamazine, Nitazoxanide and Nanocomposite of Nitazoxanide and Silver Nanoparticles on the Dehydrogenases of TCA Cycle in Setaria cervi, in Vitro

BACKGROUND

Bovine filariid, Setaria cervi may cause serious pathological condition such as cerebrospinal nematodiasis in sheep, goat and horses. Since TCA cycle enzymes have certain biological functions that make them essential for the survival of parasite and therefore, efficacy of diethylcarbamazine (DEC), nitazoxanide (NTZ) and a nanocomposite of nitazoxanide and silver nanoparticles (NTZ+AgNPs) was assessed on succinate, malate and isocitrate dehydrogenases in the microfilariae (mf) and adult S. cervi worms.

METHODS

This study was conducted in the Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India during 2015-2016. Adult and microfilariae of S. cervi were incubated in 100 μg/ml of DEC, NTZ, and NTZ+AgNPs for 24 and 6 h, respectively at 37 °C. Succinate, malate and isocitrate dehydrogenases were localized by putting the mf and adult worms in the incubating medium containing their respective substrates at 37 °C for 2 h followed by counterstaining in 2% methylene green for 15 min.

RESULTS

Maximum inhibition of TCA cycle enzymes was observed in both microfilariae and adult worms treated with nanocomposite of NTZ-AgNPs. Ruptured sheath along with nanoparticles sticking to the body surface was noticed in NTZ+AgNPs treated microfilariae.

CONCLUSION

NTZ+AgNPs proved most effective synergistic combination against TCA cycle enzymes which blocked the isocitrate and malate dehydrogenase almost completely, and succinate dehydrogenase to large extent in both microfilariae as well as adult worms of S. cervi. AgNPs ruptured the sheath and allowed the NTZ to attach and penetrate the main body to exert maximum effect on the enzymes.

A Comparison between the Effects of Albendazole and Mebendazole on the Enzymatic Activity of Excretory / Secretory Products of Echinococcus granulosus Protoscoleces in Vitro

BACKGROUND

Hydatid cysts are formed in human body can be treated clinically by surgery or drugs such as albendazole (ABZ) and mebendazole (MBZ). The purpose of this study was comparing the effects of ABZ and MBZ on glutathione-S-transferase, alkaline phosphatase and protease enzymes activities in protoscoleces of hydatid cyst.

METHODS

The culture supernatants containing the parasite Excretory / Secretory (E/S) products were collected every 12 h for 72 h. The E/S products of treated samples with 1μg/ml ABZ and MBZ and the control one were collected and after centrifugation then protein concentrations were measured according to Bradford method. GST, ALP and protease activities of E/S products were assessed photometrically.

RESULTS

The mean of GST specific activity level in treated protoscoleces with ABZ and MBZ and in control group were obtained 69.44, 132.83 and 225.47U/mg/protein/ml respectively. The mean ALP activity level in treated protoscoleces with ABZ and MBZ and in control group were detected 19.22, 22.27 and 27.85 U/mg/protein/ml respectively. The protease activity level in treated protoscoleces with ABZ and MBZ were not detected. While the mean of protease activity level in control group was 7.61U/mg/proteins. Statistical analysis showed the significant difference between protein concentrations, the specific activities of GST, ALP and protease enzymes in treated protoscoleces in comparison with control group (P<0.05). Also, the significant difference were seen between specific activities of GST and ALP enzymes in treated protoscoleces with ABZ in comparison with treated group with MBZ (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

ABZ is more effective on the enzymes activities (GST and ALP) as compared with MBZ.

Effect of Certain Antibiotics Against Filarial Parasite Brugia malayi In Vitro: Possible Role of Oxidative Stress

WHO-Tropical Disease Research scheme highlighted the need for development of new anti-filarial drugs. Certain antibiotics have recently been found effective against Wolbachia, co-existing symbiotically with filarial parasites. Inflammatory response entails oxidative mechanism to educe direct anti-microbial effect. In the present study microfilariae were maintained in vitro in medium supplemented with varying concentrations of tetracycline, doxycycline (20-100 μg/ml) or ciprofloxacin (50-250 μg/ml) separately to find out any involvement of oxidative mechanism in the anti-filarial effect of these antibiotics. Loss of motility of the microfilariae was measured after 48 h and correlated with the levels of MDA, nitric oxide and protein-carbonylation. Significant loss of microfilarial motility was recorded with increasing concentration of tetracycline and doxycycline but with ciprofloxacin the effect was not marked. Agents with high antifilarial activity revealed significant association with oxidative parameters in a dose dependent manner. The result suggests that oxidative effect might be exploited to design novel antifilarial drug candidate.