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Elguindy DAS, Ashour DS, Elmarhoumy SM, El-Guindy DM, Ismail HIH. The efficacy of cercarial antigen loaded on nanoparticles as a potential vaccine candidate in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. J Parasit Dis 2024; 48:381-399. [PMID: 38840868 PMCID: PMC11147980 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-024-01677-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality from parasitic diseases. Mass treatment has proven to be insufficient because of repeated infection after treatment and the appearance of strains resistant to drug therapy. Hence, immunization is a new approach to control the disease and limit the pathological consequences of schistosomiasis. To evaluate the prophylactic effect of Cercarial antigen (CAP) loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) as a potential vaccine against Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. 130 mice divided into 2 groups were used: Group I: Control groups (50 mice) subdivided into subgroup Ia (10 mice): Non-infected mice (normal control), subgroup Ib (20 mice): Schistosoma infected mice (infected control) and subgroup Ic (20 mice): Non-infected mice receiving NPs only. Group II: Vaccinated group (80 mice) subdivided equally into subgroup IIa (CAP): Received cercarial antigen and subgroup IIb (CAP + CSNP): Received cercarial antigen loaded on chitosan NPs then both vaccinated groups were infected with S. mansoni 3 weeks following the initial vaccination dose. CAP + CSNP and CAP groups showed significant reduction in adult worms count, hepatic egg count, hepatic granulomas number and size in comparison to the infected control group. Elevation of serum IgG and IgM levels, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell frequencies, IL-4, IL-10 and INF-γ levels was more significant in CAP + CSNP group than CAP group. CAP + CSNP is a promising new preparation of Schistosomal antigens that gave better results than immunization with CAP alone. CSNPs enhanced the immune and protective effect of CAP as validated by parasitological, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina A. S. Elguindy
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Dalia S. Ashour
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Sirria M. Elmarhoumy
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Dina M. El-Guindy
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Howaida I. H. Ismail
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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Liu C, Fisher D, Pronyuk K, Musabaev E, Thu Hien NT, Dang Y, Zhao L. Therapeutic potential of natural products in schistosomiasis-associated liver fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1332027. [PMID: 38770001 PMCID: PMC11102961 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1332027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that endangers human health and social development. The granulomatous reaction of Schistosoma eggs in the liver is the main cause of hepatosplenomegaly and fibrotic lesions. Anti liver fibrosis therapy is crucial for patients with chronic schistosomiasis. Although Praziquantel is the only clinical drug used, it is limited in insecticide treatment and has a long-term large-scale use, which is forcing the search for cost-effective alternatives. Previous research has demonstrated that plant metabolites and extracts have effective therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis associated with schistosomiasis. This paper summarizes the mechanisms of action of metabolites and some plant extracts in alleviating schistosomiasis-associated liver fibrosis. The analysis was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Some plant metabolites and extracts ameliorate liver fibrosis by targeting multiple signaling pathways, including reducing inflammatory infiltration, oxidative stress, inhibiting alternate macrophage activation, suppressing hepatic stellate cell activation, and reducing worm egg load. Natural products improve liver fibrosis associated with schistosomiasis, but further research is needed to elucidate the effectiveness of natural products in treating liver fibrosis caused by schistosomiasis, as there is no reported data from clinical trials in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiling Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - David Fisher
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Khrystyna Pronyuk
- Infectious Diseases Department, O.Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Erkin Musabaev
- The Research Institute of Virology, Ministry of Health, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | | | - Yiping Dang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Ahmed SAA, Gad SEM, Eida OM, Makhlouf LM. Anti-fibrotic Effect of Oral Versus Intraperitoneal Administration of Gold Nanoparticles in Hepatic Schistosoma mansoni-Infected Mice. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:190-202. [PMID: 37964174 PMCID: PMC11001733 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00730-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis significantly impacts public health, as it causes severe morbidity. Infections caused by Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) can be treated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This study aims to determine the most effective route of AuNPs administration and the magnitude of its anti-fibrotic effect. METHODS In the five groups' in vivo assay design, AuNPs were administered intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg) and orally (1 mg/100 g) to S. mansoni-infected mice. Biochemical parameters (serum levels of albumin and liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. The histological changes of the liver in distinct groups were evaluated using Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical stains. RESULTS Infection with S. mansoni was associated with substantial changes in the histological architecture of liver tissue and abnormal levels of hepatic function tests (albumin, AST, and ALT). Schistosoma infected hepatocytes exhibited an abnormal microscopic morphology, granuloma formation and aggressive fibrosis. AuNPs restored the liver histological architecture with a highly significant anti-fibrotic effect and significantly corrected hepatic function test levels. Intraperitoneal administration of AuNPs resulted in the most significant anti-fibrotic effect against hepatic S. mansoni infection as observed in all histological sections with Masson's trichrome being the best stain to represent this fact. CONCLUSION For treating S. mansoni-induced chronic liver fibrosis, intraperitoneal administration of AuNPs is a successful and effective route of administration that can be recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samer Eid Mohamed Gad
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Omima Mohamed Eida
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Laila Mohamed Makhlouf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
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Bayoumi AMA, Ismail MAM, Mahmoud SS, Soliman ASA, Mousa AMA, Yousof HASA. The potential curative and hepatoprotective effects of platelet rich plasma on liver fibrosis in Schistosoma mansoni experimentally infected mice. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:349-362. [PMID: 37193508 PMCID: PMC10182195 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01576-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Trapped Schistosoma mansoni eggs trigger fibrotic liver disease that can continue to liver cirrhosis and failure. This work evaluates the outcome of platelet rich plasma (PRP) on S. mansoni-induced liver fibrosis by intraperitoneal (IP) and intrahepatic (IH) routes with/without Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment. Swiss albino mice (n = 162) were divided into non-infected (n = 66) and infected (n = 96) groups, then subdivided into non-treated and treated subgroups with PRP(IP), PRP(IH) 6th and 10th weeks post-infection, PZQ, PZQ + PRP(IP) and PZQ + PRP(IH) 6th and 10th weeks post-infection. Effects of treatments were evaluated by parasitological, histopathological and Immunohistochemical assessments. In the early assessment (12th week post-infection) of infected-treated groups, the mean granuloma number showed significant reduction in groups treated with PZQ + PRP (IH) 10th week, PRP (IP), PZQ + PRP (IP) and PZQ + PRP (IH) 6th week (33.33%, 33%, 27.77% and 27.22%, respectively). Furthermore, the mean granuloma diameter showed significant reduction in groups treated with PRP (IH) 10th week and PZQ + PRP (IP) (24.17% and 15.5%, respectively). Also, the fibrotic index showed significant reduction in groups treated with PZQ + PRP (IP), PRP (IP) and PZQ + PRP (IH) 6th week (48.18%, 46.81% and 41.36%, respectively). Transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) expression was in correlation with parasitological and histopathological results. Diminished TGF-β1 expression was mostly in infected groups treated with PZQ + PRP (IP), PZQ + PRP (IH) 6th week and PRP (IP) (88.63%, 88.63% and 77.27%, respectively). In the late assessment (14th week post-infection) of infected treated groups, TGF-β1expression was reduced in groups treated with PZQ, PRP (IH) 10th weeks, PRP (IP) (83.33%, 66.66%, 33.33% respectively). PRP showed promising anti-fibrotic effects on S. mansoni-induced liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angham M. A. Bayoumi
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt
| | - Mousa A. M. Ismail
- Medical Parasitology Department, Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasr Al-Ainy St, Cairo, 11562 Egypt
| | - Soheir S. Mahmoud
- Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Amr M. A. Mousa
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, 6th of October City, Egypt
| | - Hebat-Allah S. A. Yousof
- Medical Parasitology Department, Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasr Al-Ainy St, Cairo, 11562 Egypt
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Marascio N, Loria MT, Pavia G, Peronace C, Adams NJ, Campolo M, Divenuto F, Lamberti AG, Giancotti A, Barreca GS, Mazzitelli M, Trecarichi EM, Torti C, Perandin F, Bisoffi Z, Quirino A, Matera G. Evaluation of IL-35, as a Possible Biomarker for Follow-Up after Therapy, in Chronic Human Schistosoma Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11050995. [PMID: 37243099 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The host response to helminth infections is characterized by systemic and tissue-related immune responses that play a crucial role in pathological diseases. Recently, experimental studies have highlighted the role of regulatory T (Tregs) and B (Bregs) cells with secreted cytokines as important markers in anti-schistosomiasis immunity. We investigated the serical levels of five cytokines (TNFα, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-35) in pre- and post-treatment samples from chronic Schistosoma infected patients to identify potential serological markers during follow-up therapy. Interestingly, we highlighted an increased serum level of IL-35 in the pre-therapy samples (median 439 pg/mL for Schistosoma haematobium and 100.5 pg/mL for Schistsoma mansoni infected patients) compared to a control group (median 62 pg/mL and 58 pg/mL, respectively, p ≤ 0.05), and a significantly lower concentration in post-therapy samples (181 pg/mL for S. haematobium and 49.5 pg/mL for S. mansoni infected patients, p ≤ 0.05). The present study suggests the possible role of IL-35 as a novel serological biomarker in the evaluation of Schistosoma therapy follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Marascio
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Loria
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Grazia Pavia
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Cinzia Peronace
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Neill James Adams
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Morena Campolo
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Divenuto
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Angelo Giuseppe Lamberti
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Aida Giancotti
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giorgio Settimo Barreca
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Mazzitelli
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Padua University Hospital, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Trecarichi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carlo Torti
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Perandin
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Angela Quirino
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovanni Matera
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro-"Mater Domini" Teaching Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Differential Analysis of Key Proteins Related to Fibrosis and Inflammation in Soluble Egg Antigen of Schistosoma mansoni at Different Infection Times. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030441. [PMID: 36986363 PMCID: PMC10054402 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major global health problem. Schistosomes secrete antigens into the host tissue that bind to chemokines or inhibit immune cell receptors, regulating the immune responses to allow schistosome development. However, the detailed mechanism of chronic schistosome infection-induced liver fibrosis, including the relationship between secreted soluble egg antigen (SEA) and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, is still unknown. We used mass spectrometry to identify the SEA protein sequences from different infection weeks. In the 10th and 12th infection weeks, we focused on the SEA components and screened out the special protein components, particularly fibrosis- and inflammation-related protein sequences. Our results have identified heat shock proteins, phosphorylation-associated enzymes, or kinases, such as Sm16, GSTA3, GPCRs, EF1-α, MMP7, and other proteins linked to schistosome-induced liver fibrosis. After sorting, we found many special proteins related to fibrosis and inflammation, but studies proving their association with schistosomiasis infection are limited. Follow-up studies on MICOS, MATE1, 14-3-3 epsilon, and CDCP1 are needed. We treated the LX-2 cells with the SEA from the 8th, 10th, and 12th infection weeks to test HSC activation. In a trans-well cell model in which PBMCs and HSCs were co-cultured, the SEA could significantly induce TGF-β secretion, especially from the 12th week of infection. Our data also showed that TGF-β secreted by PBMC after the SEA treatment activates LX-2 and upregulates hepatic fibrotic markers α-SMA and collagen 1. Based on these results, the CUB domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) screened at the 12th infection week could be investigated further. This study clarifies the trend of immune mechanism variation in the different stages of schistosome infection. However, how egg-induced immune response transformation causes liver tissue fibrosis needs to be studied further.
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Nogueira RA, Lira MGS, Licá ICL, Frazão GCCG, Dos Santos VAF, Filho ACCM, Rodrigues JGM, Miranda GS, Carvalho RC, Nascimento FRF. Praziquantel: An update on the mechanism of its action against schistosomiasis and new therapeutic perspectives. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 252:111531. [PMID: 36375598 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for the treatment of all forms of schistosomiasis, although its mechanisms of action are not completely understood. PZQ acts largely on adult worms. This narrative literature review describes what is known about the mechanisms of action of PZQ against schistosomes from in vitro and in vivo studies and highlights the molecular targets in parasites and immune responses induced in definitive hosts by this drug. Moreover, new therapeutic uses of PZQ are discussed. Studies have demonstrated that in addition to impacting voltage-operated Ca2 + channels, PZQ may interact with other schistosome molecules, such as myosin regulatory light chain, glutathione S-transferase, and transient receptor potential channels. Following PZQ administration, increased T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cell differentiation and decreased inflammation were observed, indicating that PZQ promotes immunoregulatory pathways. Although PZQ is widely used in mass drug administration schemes, the existence of resistant parasites has not been proven; however, it is a concern that should be constantly investigated in human populations. In addition, we discuss studies that evaluate health applications of PZQ (other than helminth infection), such as its effect in cancer therapy and its adjuvant action in vaccines against viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranielly Araujo Nogueira
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Maria Gabriela Sampaio Lira
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil; Department of Education, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, Zé Doca, MA, Brazil
| | - Irlla Correia Lima Licá
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | | | - Vitor Augusto Ferreira Dos Santos
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | | | - João Gustavo Mendes Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Silva Miranda
- Department of Education, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, São Raimundo das Mangabeiras, MA, Brazil
| | - Rafael Cardoso Carvalho
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Flávia Raquel Fernandes Nascimento
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil; Department of Pathology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil.
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Sharaf OF, Ahmed AA, Ibrahim AF, Shariq A, Alkhamiss AS, Alghsham R, Althwab SA, Alghaniam SA, Alhumaydhi FA, Alghamdi R, Alshomar A, Alabdullatif T, Alkhulayfi A, Alghunaim AA, Abdulmonem WA. Modulation of mice immune responses against Schistosoma mansoni infection with anti-schistosomiasis drugs: Role of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma. Int J Health Sci (Qassim) 2022; 16:3-11. [PMID: 35300269 PMCID: PMC8905037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) is endemic in Africa, the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean. This study investigated the modulation of immune response against S. mansoni through estimation of interleukin-4 (IL-4) (Th2 cytokine) and interferon-gamma (INF-γ) (Th1 cytokine) under the effect of anti-schistosomal drugs. METHODS Laboratory bred female albino mice (n = 120) were divided into the following groups: untreated mice, S. mansoni infected mice, S. mansoni infected mice treated with artemisinin (ART), arachidonic acid (ARA), nifedipine or praziquantel (PZQ). Levels of IL-4 and INF-γ cytokines in the serum samples of treated and untreated mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the results were further validated by measuring the mRNA levels IL-4 and INF-γ using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Anti-schistosomiasis drugs ART and ARA increased the levels of Th2 cytokine IL-4 (P < 0.05), whereas PZQ drug decreased the response of IL-4 (P < 0.05). However, nifedipine was found to be ineffective in modulating the response of IL-4 (P > 0.05). As far as Th-1 cytokine IFN γ was concerned, only PZQ increased its levels (P < 0.05), whereas other tested anti-schistosomiasis drugs; ART, ARA, and nifedipine were found to be infective (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicated that anti-schistosomiasis drugs ART, ARA, and PZQ play a role in the modulation of expression of Th2 cytokines. Whereas, only PZQ may play a role in the modulation of Th1 cytokines. These findings provide a scope for the formulation of novel anti-schistosomal drugs as well as in the therapeutic management of patients infected with S. mansoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama F. Sharaf
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Parasitology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shibin Al kom, Al Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A. Ahmed
- Research Center, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asmaa F. Ibrahim
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Parasitology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shibin Al kom, Al Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Ali Shariq
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah S. Alkhamiss
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ruqaih Alghsham
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami A. Althwab
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Qassim Health Affairs, Ministry of Health, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan A. Alghaniam
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad A. Alhumaydhi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rana Alghamdi
- Department of Chemistry, Science and Arts College, Rabigh Campus, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Alshomar
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tasleem Alabdullatif
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Waleed Al Abdulmonem
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia,Address for correspondence: Dr. Waleed Al Abdulmonem, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. E-mail:
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Antiparasitic Effects of Selected Isoflavones on Flatworms. Helminthologia 2021; 58:1-16. [PMID: 33664614 PMCID: PMC7912234 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Medicinal plants have been successfully used in the ethno medicine for a wide range of diseases since ancient times. The research on natural products has allowed the discovery of biologically relevant compounds inspired by plant secondary metabolites, what contributed to the development of many chemotherapeutic drugs. Flavonoids represent a group of therapeutically very effective plant secondary metabolites and selected molecules were shown to exert also antiparasitic activity. This work summarizes the recent knowledge generated within past three decades about potential parasitocidal activities of several flavonoids with different chemical structures, particularly on medically important flatworms such as Schistosoma spp., Fasciola spp., Echinococcus spp., Raillietina spp., and model cestode Mesocestoides vogae. Here we focus on curcumin, genistein, quercetin and silymarin complex of flavonolignans. All of them possess a whole spectrum of biological activities on eukaryotic cells which have multi-therapeutic effects in various diseases. In vitro they can induce profound alterations in the tegumental architecture and its functions as well as their activity can significantly modulate or damage worm´s metabolism directly by interaction with enzymes or signaling molecules in dose-dependent manner. Moreover, they seem to differentially regulate the RNA activity in numbers of worm´s genes. This review suggests that examined flavonoids and their derivates are promising molecules for antiparasitic drug research. Due to lack of toxicity, isoflavons could be used directly for therapy, or as adjuvant therapy for diseases caused by medically important cestodes and trematodes.
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Hrčková G, Kubašková TM, Reiterová K, Biedermann D. Co-administration of silymarin elevates the therapeutic effect of praziquantel through modulation of specific antibody profiles, Th1/Th2/Tregs cytokines and down-regulation of fibrogenesis in mice with Mesocestoides vogae (Cestoda) infection. Exp Parasitol 2020; 213:107888. [PMID: 32259552 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Silymarin (SIL) represents a natural mixture of polyphenols showing an array of health benefits. The present study, carried out on a model cestode infection induced by Mesocestoides vogae tetrathyridia in the ICR strain of mice, was aimed at investigating the impact of SIL as adjunct therapy on the activity of praziquantel (PZQ) in relation to parasite burden, immunity and liver fibrosis within 20 days post-therapy. In comparison with PZQ alone, co-administration of SIL and PZQ stimulated production of total IgG antibodies to somatic and excretory-secretory antigens of metacestodes and modified the expression patterns of immunogenic molecules in both antigenic preparations. The combined therapy resulted in the elevation of IFN-γ and a decline of TNF-α and TGF-β1 in serum as compared to untreated group; however, SIL attenuated significantly the effect of PZQ on IL-4 and stimulated PZQ-suppressed phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages. In the liver, SIL boosted the effect of PZQ on gene expression of the same cytokines in a similar way as was found in serum, except for down-regulation of PZQ-stimulated TNF-α. Compared to PZQ therapy, the infiltration of mast cells into liver after SIL co-administration was nearly abolished and correlated with suppressed activities of genes for collagen I, collagen III and α-SMA. In conclusion, co-administration of SIL modified the effects of PZQ therapy on antigenic stimulation of the immune system and modulated Th1/Th2/Tregs cytokines. In liver this was accompanied by reduced fibrosis, which correlated with significantly higher reduction of total numbers of tetrathyridia after combined therapy as compared with PZQ treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Hrčková
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic.
| | - Terézia Mačák Kubašková
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Katarína Reiterová
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - David Biedermann
- Laboratory of Biotransformation, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
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Camini FC, Costa DC. Silymarin: not just another antioxidant. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2020; 31:/j/jbcpp.2020.31.issue-4/jbcpp-2019-0206/jbcpp-2019-0206.xml. [PMID: 32134732 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2019-0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Silymarin (Silybum marianum; SM), popularly known as milk thistle, is an extract that has been used for many centuries to treat liver diseases. In recent years, several studies have shown that SM is not only just another antioxidant but also a multifunctional compound that exhibits several beneficial properties for use in the treatment and prevention of different types of pathologies and disorders. This review aims at demonstrating the main protective activities of SM in diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, metabolic syndrome, depression, cardiovascular diseases and thalassemia, in addition to its photoprotective activity in in vitro tests and preclinical studies. Its main functions include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and it acts as modulator of signaling pathways. It has been suggested that SM presents great multifunctional potential and is capable of achieving promising results in different types of research. However, caution is still needed regarding its indiscriminate use in humans as there are only a few clinical studies relating to the adequate dose and the actual efficacy of this extract in different types of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Caetano Camini
- Laboratory of Metabolic Biochemistry, Post-Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Nucleus of Research in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela Caldeira Costa
- Laboratory of Metabolic Biochemistry, Post-Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Nucleus of Research in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Laboratory of Metabolic Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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The role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis, grading and treatment of hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:611. [PMID: 31888743 PMCID: PMC6937654 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3866-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a prevalent parasitic disease worldwide. The main pathological changes of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis are hepatic granuloma and fibrosis due to worm eggs. Portal hypertension and ascites induced by hepatic fibrosis are usually the main causes of death in patients with chronic hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Currently, no effective vaccine exists for preventing schistosome infections. For quite a long time, praziquantel (PZQ) was widely used for the treatment of schistosomiasis and has shown benefit in treating liver fibrosis. However, drug resistance and chemical toxicity from PZQ are being increasingly reported in recent years; therefore, new and effective strategies for treating schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis are urgently needed. MicroRNA (miRNA), a non-coding RNA, has been proved to be associated with the development of many human diseases, including schistosomiasis. In this review, we present a balanced and comprehensive view of the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis, grading, and treatment of schistosomiasis-associated hepatic fibrosis. The multiple regulatory roles of miRNAs, such as promoting or inhibiting the development of liver pathology in murine schistosomiasis are also discussed in depth. Additionally, miRNAs may serve as candidate biomarkers for diagnosing liver pathology of schistosomiasis and as novel therapeutic targets for treating schistosomiasis-associated hepatic fibrosis.![]()
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Enhancement of the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel in murine Schistosomiasis mansoni using silica nanocarrier. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3519-3533. [PMID: 31673833 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06475-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this work is preparation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with praziquantel (PZQ-Si) in order to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel (PZQ). Mice were experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni and treated 6 weeks post-infection with PZQ in different doses via either oral or intraperitoneal (IP) routes. PZQ in the same doses orally administered to S. mansoni-infected mice was used as a drug control, and infected and non-infected non-treated mice served as positive and negative controls, respectively. PZQ-Si exhibited good physicochemical attributes in terms of small uniform size (105 nm), spherical shape, and PZQ entrapment efficiency (83%). A maximum antischistosomal effect was achieved using orally administered PZQ-Si as reflected by total worm burden, tissue egg count, oogram pattern, and hepatic granuloma count and diameter. The biomarkers related to liver oxidative stress status and immunomodulatory effect (serum TNF-α and IL-10) were significantly improved. Data obtained implied that IP route was less efficacious for the delivery of PZQ-Si. Encapsulation of PZQ permits the reduction of the used therapeutic dose of PZQ. Hepatic DNA fragmentation, measured by comet assay, was significantly improved in infected mice treated with maximum dose of PZQ-Si as compared to positive or PZQ control groups. The results indicate that mesoporous silica NP is a promising safe nanocarrier for PZQ potentiating its antischistosomal, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory action in animal model infected with S. mansoni. From a practical standpoint, PZQ-Si using a lower dose of PZQ could be suggested for effective PZQ antischistosomal mass chemotherapy.
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