Simvastatin and artesunate impact the structural organization of adult Schistosoma mansoni in hypercholesterolemic mice

In vitro and in vivo effects of P-MAPA immunomodulator on schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease caused by helminth parasites of the genus Schistosoma; it is transmitted in over 78 countries. The main strategy for schistosomiasis control is treatment of infected people with praziquantel (PZQ). As PZQ-resistant strains have emerged, new anti-schistosomal agents have become necessary. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo effect of P-MAPA, an aggregated polymer of protein magnesium ammonium phospholinoleate-palmitoleate anhydride with immunomodulatory properties; it is produced by Aspergillus oryzae fermentation. In vitro, P-MAPA (5, 50, and 100 µg/mL) damaged the Schistosoma mansoni tegument, causing thorn losses and tuber destruction in male worms and peeling and erosion in females after 24-h incubation. In vivo, P-MAPA (5 and 100 mg/kg, alone and combined with PZQ - 50 mg/kg) reduced the number of eggs by up to 69.20% in the liver and 88.08% in the intestine. Furthermore, granulomas were reduced up to 83.13%, and there was an increase in the number of dead eggs and a reduction of serum aspartate aminotransferase levels. These data suggest that P-MAPA activity can help improve schistosomiasis treatment and patients' quality of life.

Anti-Schistosoma mansoni effects of essential oils and their components

Schistosoma mansoni is endemic in 55 countries around the world. S. mansoni is a water-borne parasite of humans belonging to the group of blood flukes. Generally, schistosomiasis is treated with praziquantel, which results in frequent treatment failures and reinfections. Essential oils have diverse biological effects, including antimicrobial, antiprotozoal and antiparasitic. This review aimed at summarizing available in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials showing evidence and mechanisms of actions of essential oils and their derivatives acting against S. mansoni. The findings suggest that a number of essential oils and/or their components act against S. mansoni. Essential oils and/or their derivatives may be one of the potential sources of antischistosomal drugs.

Statins: a viable candidate for host-directed therapy against infectious diseases

Statins were first identified over 40 years ago as lipid-lowering drugs and have been remarkably effective in treating cardiovascular diseases. As research advanced, the protective effects of statins were additionally attributed to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-thrombotic and immunomodulatory functions rather than lipid-lowering abilities alone. By promoting host defence mechanisms and inhibiting pathological inflammation, statins increase survival in human infectious diseases. At the cellular level, statins inhibit the intermediates of the host mevalonate pathway, thus compromising the immune evasion strategies of pathogens and their survival. Here, we discuss the potential use of statins as an inexpensive and practical alternative or adjunctive host-directed therapy for infectious diseases caused by intracellular pathogens, such as viruses, protozoa, fungi and bacteria.