Harmine Combined with Rad54 Knockdown Inhibits the Viability of Echinococcus granulosus by Enhancing DNA Damage

Ghrelin regulating liver activity and its potential effects on liver fibrosis and Echinococcosis

Ghrelin widely exists in the central nervous system and peripheral organs, and has biological activities such as maintaining energy homeostasis, regulating lipid metabolism, cell proliferation, immune response, gastrointestinal physiological activities, cognition, memory, circadian rhythm and reward effects. In many benign liver diseases, it may play a hepatoprotective role against steatosis, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, and improve liver cell autophagy and immune response to improve disease progression. However, the role of Ghrelin in liver Echinococcosis is currently unclear. This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which Ghrelin regulates liver growth metabolism, immune-inflammation, fibrogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis, as well as its protective effects in liver fibrosis diseases, and further proposes the role of Ghrelin in liver Echinococcosis infection. During the infectious process, it may promote the parasitism and survival of parasites on the host by improving the immune-inflammatory microenvironment and fibrosis state, thereby accelerating disease progression. However, there is currently a lack of targeted in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence for this viewpoint.

1,3-Substituted β-Carboline Derivatives as Potent Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Cystic Echinococcosis

Echinococcosis is a global public health issue that generally occurs in areas with developed animal husbandry. In search of safe and effective therapeutic agents against echinococcosis, we designed and synthesized new 1,3-substituted β-carboline derivatives based on harmine. Among them, compounds 1a, 1c, and 1e displayed potent inhibitory activity against Echinococcus granulosus in vitro, significantly better than albendazole and harmine. The morphological detection revealed that 1a, 1c, and 1e significantly changed the ultrastructure of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices (PSCs). Furthermore, pharmacokinetic studies suggested that 1a possessed a better metabolic property. Encouragingly, 1a exhibited a highest cyst inhibition rate as 76.8% in vivo and did not display neurotoxicity in mice. Further mechanistic research illustrated that 1a has the potential to induce autophagy in PSCs, which may be responsible for the therapeutic effect of the drugs. Together, 1a could be a promising therapeutic agent against echinococcosis, warranting further study.