Therapeutic Effect of Diminazene Aceturate on Parasitic Blood Fluke Schistosoma mansoni Infection

Therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel loaded-chitosan nanoparticles on juvenile Schistosoma mansoni worms in murine model

Praziquantel (PZQ) is the standard treatment for schistosomiasis; however, it is poorly effective on immature and juvenile worms. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel loaded-chitosan nanoparticles (PZQ-CSNPs) on the 25 days old juvenile Schistosoma mansoni worms compared to PZQ and chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs). It was conducted on 60 Swiss albino mice, including 20 control and 40 experimental mice. The control groups included healthy uninfected and infected non-treated mice. The experimental groups included mice infected treated on the 25th day with 400 mg/kg PZQ, 30 mg/kg CSNPs, 100 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg PZQ-CSNPs. The results revealed that PZQ-CSNPs (100, 400 mg/kg) gave the best results substantiated by a remarkable decrease in worm burden, egg count, granuloma count and size compared to the other treatments. Moreover, it induced severe deformations of worm morphology regarding oral and ventral suckers, tegument, spines distribution, and male gynaecophoric canal. Liver enzymes and oxidative stress markers were significantly decreased while antioxidant activities were increased compared to control and other treated groups. In conclusion, a single dose of PZQ-CSNPs had significant antischistosomal therapeutic effects during the early maturation phase.

Oral Administration of Kaempferol Isolated from Baccharis Mattogrosensis Enables In Vivo Activity Against Schistosoma Mansoni

Baccharis mattogrosensis is a species from Asteraceae which has been used in Brazilian folk medicine to treatment of several illnesses, including those caused by parasites. In the present work, the MeOH extract of aerial parts of B. mattogrosensis was subjected to chromatographic fractionation to afford three flavonoids: apigenin (1), quercetin (2), and kaempferol (3) as well as a mixture three chlorogenic acids: 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic (4), 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic (5), and 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic (6) acids. When tested in vitro, kaempferol (3) exhibited activity against Schistosoma mansoni with EC50=81.86 μM, whereas compounds 1, 2, 4-6 showed to be inactives. Considering this result, the effects of kaempferol (3) against S. mansoni infection using an experimental approach (in vivo assay) was tested at first time. Using a single oral dose (400 mg/kg) of kaempferol (3) to S. mansoni-infected mice reduced the worm burden by 25.5 %. Similarly, the number of eggs, which are responsible for a variety of pathologies and transmission of schistosomiasis, was decreased by 28.8 % in treated mice. Collectively, although kaempferol (3) is partially active when administered orally in a mouse model of schistosomiasis, our results suggest that this compound could be, in future studies, administered in different forms, such as nanoformulation.

The 3D pharmacophore modeling to explore new antischistosomal agents among US FDA approved drugs

Aim: To identify potential antischistosomal agents through 3D pharmacophore-based virtual screening of US FDA approved drugs.Materials & methods: A comprehensive virtual screening was conducted on a dataset of 10,000 FDA approved drugs, employing praziquantel as a template. Promising candidates were selected and assessed for their impact on Schistosoma mansoni viability in vitro and in vivo using S. mansoni infected mice.Results & conclusion: Among the selected drugs, betamethasone and doxazosin demonstrated in vitro efficacy, with effective concentration 50% (EC50) values ranging from 35 to 60 μM. In vivo studies revealed significant (>50%) reductions in worm burden for both drugs. These findings suggest that betamethasone and doxazosin hold promise for repurposing in treating schistosomiasis. Additionally, the study showcases a useful approach for identifying new antischistosomal drugs.

A metabolomics pipeline highlights microbial metabolism in bloodstream infections

The growth of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) highlights an urgent need to identify bacterial pathogenic functions that may be targets for clinical intervention. Although severe infections profoundly alter host metabolism, prior studies have largely ignored microbial metabolism in this context. Here, we describe an iterative, comparative metabolomics pipeline to uncover microbial metabolic features in the complex setting of a host and apply it to investigate gram-negative bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients. We find elevated levels of bacterially derived acetylated polyamines during BSI and discover the enzyme responsible for their production (SpeG). Blocking SpeG activity reduces bacterial proliferation and slows pathogenesis. Reduction of SpeG activity also enhances bacterial membrane permeability and increases intracellular antibiotic accumulation, allowing us to overcome AMR in culture and in vivo. This study highlights how tools to study pathogen metabolism in the natural context of infection can reveal and prioritize therapeutic strategies for addressing challenging infections.

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of the amiodarone and praziquantel combination against the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis, a widespread parasitic disease caused by the blood fluke of the genus Schistosoma, affects over 230 million people, primarily in developing countries. Praziquantel, the sole drug currently approved for schistosomiasis treatment, demonstrates effectiveness against patent infections. A recent study highlighted the antiparasitic properties of amiodarone, an anti-arrhythmic drug, exhibiting higher efficacy than praziquantel against prepatent infections. This study assessed the efficacy of amiodarone and praziquantel, both individually and in combination, against Schistosoma mansoni through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro experiments demonstrated synergistic activity (fractional inhibitory concentration index ≤0.5) for combinations of amiodarone with praziquantel. In a murine model of schistosomiasis featuring prepatent infections, treatments involving amiodarone (200 or 400 mg/kg) followed by praziquantel (200 or 400 mg/kg) yielded a substantial reduction in worm burden (60%-70%). Given the low efficacy of praziquantel in prepatent infections, combinations of amiodarone with praziquantel may offer clinical utility in the treatment of schistosomiasis.

Targeting the Schistosoma mansoni nutritional mechanisms to design new antischistosomal compounds

The chemical classes of semicarbazones, thiosemicarbazones, and hydrazones are present in various compounds, each demonstrating diverse biological activities. Extensive studies have revealed their potential as schistosomicidal agents. Thiosemicarbazones, in particular, have shown inhibitory effects on Schistosoma mansoni's cathepsin B1 enzyme (SmCB1), which plays a crucial role in hemoglobin degradation within the worm's gut and its nutrition processes. Consequently, SmCB1 has emerged as a promising target for novel schistosomiasis therapies. Moreover, chloroquinoline exhibits characteristics in its aromatic structure that hold promise for developing SmCB1 inhibitors, along with its interaction with hemoglobin's heme group, potentially synergizing against the parasite's gut. In this context, we report the synthesis of 22 hybrid analogs combining hydrazones and quinolines, evaluated against S. mansoni. Five of these hybrids demonstrated schistosomicidal activity in vitro, with GPQF-8Q10 being the most effective, causing worm mortality within 24 h at a concentration of 25 µM. GPQF-8Q8 proved to be the most promising in vivo, significantly reducing egg presence in feces (by 52.8%) and immature eggs in intestines (by 45.8%). These compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity in Vero cells and an in in vivo animal model (Caenorhabditis elegans), indicating a favorable selectivity index. This suggests their potential for the development of new schistosomiasis therapies. Further studies are needed to uncover specific target mechanisms, but these findings offer a promising starting point.

Artificial intelligence-guided approach for efficient virtual screening of hits against Schistosoma mansoni

Background: The impact of schistosomiasis, which affects over 230 million people, emphasizes the urgency of developing new antischistosomal drugs. Artificial intelligence is vital in accelerating the drug discovery process. Methodology & results: We developed classification and regression machine learning models to predict the schistosomicidal activity of compounds not experimentally tested. The prioritized compounds were tested on schistosomula and adult stages of Schistosoma mansoni. Four compounds demonstrated significant activity against schistosomula, with 50% effective concentration values ranging from 9.8 to 32.5 μM, while exhibiting no toxicity in animal and human cell lines. Conclusion: These findings represent a significant step forward in the discovery of antischistosomal drugs. Further optimization of these active compounds can pave the way for their progression into preclinical studies.

Identification and targeting of microbial putrescine acetylation in bloodstream infections

The growth of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has highlighted an urgent need to identify bacterial pathogenic functions that may be targets for clinical intervention. Although severe bacterial infections profoundly alter host metabolism, prior studies have largely ignored alterations in microbial metabolism in this context. Performing metabolomics on patient and mouse plasma samples, we identify elevated levels of bacterially-derived N-acetylputrescine during gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSI), with higher levels associated with worse clinical outcomes. We discover that SpeG is the bacterial enzyme responsible for acetylating putrescine and show that blocking its activity reduces bacterial proliferation and slows pathogenesis. Reduction of SpeG activity enhances bacterial membrane permeability and results in increased intracellular accumulation of antibiotics, allowing us to overcome AMR of clinical isolates both in culture and in vivo. This study highlights how studying pathogen metabolism in the natural context of infection can reveal new therapeutic strategies for addressing challenging infections.

The Existing Drug Nifuroxazide as an Antischistosomal Agent: In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Studies of Macromolecular Targets

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that afflicts approximately 250 million people worldwide. There is an urgent demand for new antiparasitic agents because praziquantel, the only drug available for the treatment of schistosomiasis, is not universally effective and may derail current progress toward the WHO goal of eliminating this disease as a public health problem by 2030. Nifuroxazide (NFZ), an oral nitrofuran antibiotic, has recently been explored to be repurposed for parasitic diseases. Here, in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies were conducted to evaluate the activity of NFZ on Schistosoma mansoni. The in vitro study showed significant antiparasitic activity, with 50% effective concentration (EC50) and 90% effective concentration (EC90) values of 8.2 to 10.8 and 13.7 to 19.3 μM, respectively. NFZ also affected worm pairing and egg production and induced severe damage to the tegument of schistosomes. In vivo, a single oral dose of NFZ (400 mg/kg of body weight) to mice harboring either prepatent or patent S. mansoni infection significantly reduced the total worm burden (~40%). In patent infection, NFZ achieved a high reduction in the number of eggs (~80%), but the drug caused a low reduction in the egg burden of animals with prepatent infection. Finally, results from in silico target fishing methods predicted that serine/threonine kinases could be one of the potential targets for NFZ in S. mansoni. Overall, the present study revealed that NFZ possesses antischistosomal properties, mainly in terms of egg burden reduction in animals with patent S. mansoni infection. IMPORTANCE The increasing recognition of the burden imposed by helminthiasis, associated with the limited therapeutic arsenal, has led to initiatives and strategies to research and develop new drugs for the treatment of schistosomiasis. One of these strategies is drug repurposing, which considers low-risk compounds with potentially reduced costs and shorter time for development. In this study, nifuroxazide (NFZ) was evaluated for its anti-Schistosoma mansoni potential through in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies. In vitro, NFZ affected worm pairing and egg production and induced severe damage to the tegument of schistosomes. In vivo, a single oral dose of NFZ (400 mg/kg) to mice harboring either prepatent or patent S. mansoni infection significantly reduced the total worm burden and egg production. In silico investigations have identified serine/threonine kinases as a molecular target for NFZ. Collectively, these results implied that NFZ might be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of schistosomiasis.

Enhancing the antischistosomal activity of carvacryl acetate using nanoemulsion

Aim: To formulate a carvacryl acetate nanoemulsion (CANE) and test its antischistosomal activity. Materials & methods: CANE was prepared and tested in vitro on Schistosoma mansoni adult worms and both human and animal cell lines. Next, CANE was administered orally to mice infected with either a prepatent infection or a patent infection of S. mansoni. Results: CANE was stable during 90 days of analysis. CANE showed in vitro anthelmintic activity, and no cytotoxic effects were observed. In vivo, CANE was more effective than the free compounds in reducing worm burden and egg production. Treatment with CANE was more effective for prepatent infections than praziquantel. Conclusion: CANE improves antiparasitic properties and may be a promising delivery system for schistosomiasis treatment.

The Idiosyncratic Efficacy of Spironolactone-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Against Murine Intestinal Schistosomiasis

Background

Schistosomiasis is a chronic debilitating parasitic disease accompanied with severe mortality rates. Although praziquantel (PZQ) acts as the sole drug for the management of this disease, it has many limitations that restrict the use of this treatment approach. Repurposing of spironolactone (SPL) and nanomedicine represents a promising approach to improve anti-schistosomal therapy. We have developed SPL-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance the solubility, efficacy, and drug delivery and hence decrease the frequency of administration, which is of great clinical value.

Methods

The physico-chemical assessment was performed starting with particle size analysis and confirmed using TEM, FT-IR, DSC, and XRD. The antischistosomal effect of the SPL-loaded PLGA NPs against Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni)-induced infection in mice was also estimated.

Results

Our results manifested that the optimized prepared NPs had particle size of 238.00 ± 7.21 nm, and the zeta potential was -19.66 ± 0.98 nm, effective encapsulation 90.43±8.81%. Other physico-chemical features emphasized that nanoparticles were completely encapsulated inside the polymer matrix. The in vitro dissolution studies revealed that SPL-loaded PLGA NPs showed sustained biphasic release pattern and followed Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics corresponding to Fickian diffusion (n<0.45). The used regimen was efficient against S. mansoni infection and induced significant reduction in spleen, liver indices, and total worm count (ρ<0.05). Besides, when targeting the adult stages, it induced decline in the hepatic egg load and the small intestinal egg load by 57.75% and 54.17%, respectively, when compared to the control group. SPL-loaded PLGA NPs caused extensive damage to adult worms on tegument and suckers, leading to the death of the parasites in less time, plus marked improvement in liver pathology.

Conclusion

Collectively, these findings provided proof-of-evidence that the developed SPL-loaded PLGA NPs could be potentially used as a promising candidate for new antischistosomal drug development.

Neolignans isolated from Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae) exhibit efficacy against Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by the blood fluke of the genus Schistosoma, affects over 230 million people, especially in developing countries. Despite the significant economic and public health consequences, only one drug is currently available for treatment of schistosomiasis, praziquantel. Thus, there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Based on our continuous studies involving the chemical prospection of floristic biodiversity aiming to discover new bioactive compounds, this work reports the in vitro antiparasitic activity against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms of neolignans threo-austrobailignan-6 and verrucosin, both isolated from Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae). These neolignans showed a significant in vitro schistosomicidal activity, with EC50 values of 12.6-28.1 µM. Further analysis revealed a pronounced reduction in the number of S. mansoni eggs. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed morphological alterations when schistosomes were exposed to either threo-austrobailignan-6 or verrucosin. These relevant antischistosomal properties were accompanied by low cytotoxicity potential against the animal (Vero) and human (HaCaT) cell lines, resulting in a high selectivity index. Considering the promising chemical and biological properties of threo-austrobailignan-6 and verrucosin, this research should be of interest to those in the area of neglected diseases and in particular antischistosomal drug discovery.

Susceptibility of Angiostrongylus cantonensis Larvae to Anthelmintic Drugs

Human helminthiasis affects approximately one in five people in the world and disproportionally affects the poorest and most deprived communities. Human angiostrongyliasis, caused by nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is a neglected emerging disease with escalating importance worldwide. Chemotherapy is the main control method for helminthiasis, but the therapeutic arsenal is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the antiparasitic and molecular properties of the major available anthelmintic drugs against A. cantonensis in vitro. The first-stage larvae (L1), isolated from feces of an A. cantonensis-infected rat, were exposed to a set of 12 anthelmintic drugs in vitro. The larvae were monitored, and the concentration- and time-dependent viability alterations were determined. From 12 anthelmintic drugs, six (ivermectin, salamectin, moxidectin, pyrantel pamoate, albendazole and levamisole) were identified to affect the viability of A. cantonensis. The macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin, salamectin, moxidectin) and the imidazothiazole levamisole, were the most effective drugs, with IC50 ranging from 2.2 to 2.9 µM and a rapid onset of action. Albendazole, the most widely used anthelmintic in humans, had a slower onset of action, but an IC50 of 11.3 µM was achieved within 24 h. Molecular properties studies suggest that a less lipophilic character and low molecular weight could be favorable for the biological activity of the non-macrocyclic molecules. Collectively, our study revealed that macrocyclic lactones, levamisole, pyrantel pamoate, and albendazole are important anthelmintic agents against A. cantonensis. The results of this in vitro study also suggest that A. cantonensis L1 may be a particularly sensitive and useful model for anthelmintic studies.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Carvacrol-Loaded Nanoemulsion in a Mouse Model of Schistosomiasis

Since praziquantel is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, a neglected parasitic disease that affects more than 240 million people worldwide, there is an urgent demand for new antischistosomal agents. Natural compound-loaded nanoparticles have recently emerged as a promising alternative for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Carvacrol is an antimicrobial monoterpene present in the essential oil extracted from several plants, especially oregano (Origanum vulgare). In this study, a carvacrol nanoemulsion (CVNE) was prepared, characterized, and administered orally (200 mg/kg) in a mouse infected with either immature (prepatent infection) or adult (patent infection) Schistosoma mansoni. For comparison, data obtained with an unloaded nanoemulsion (blank formulation), free carvacrol, and the drug of reference praziquantel are also presented. CVNE was more effective than free carvacrol in reducing the worm burden and egg production in both patent and prepatent infections. Favorably, CVNE had a high effect in terms of reducing the number of worms and eggs (85%–90%) compared with praziquantel (∼30%) in prepatent infection. In tandem, carvacrol-loaded nanoemulsion markedly improved antischistosomal activity, showing efficiency in reducing worm and egg burden, and thus it may be a promising delivery system for the treatment of schistosomiasis.

Recent trends in praziquantel nanoformulations for helminthiasis treatment

INTRODUCTION

Infections caused by parasitic flatworms impose a considerable worldwide health burden. Recently, World Health Organization launched its roadmap for neglected diseases for the period 2021 to 2030 and oral treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) in tablet form is the main drug therapy for combating these diseases, but its use is limited by many drawbacks, including the high therapeutic dose due to the drug's low solubility and bioavailability. Among the strategies to improve PZQ performance, the use of drug nanocarriers has been cited as an interesting approach to overcome these pharmacological issues.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on the various types of nanomaterials (polymeric, lipidic, inorganic nanoparticles, and nanocrystals) which have been recently used to improve PZQ therapy. In addition, recent advances in PZQ nanoformulations, developed to overcome the barriers of the conventional drug are described.

EXPERT OPINION

Considering the poor rate of discovery in the anthelmintic segment observed in recent decades, the effective management of existing drugs has become essential. The application of new strategies based on nanotechnology can extend the useful life of PZQ in new and more effective formulations. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology can solve the pharmacokinetic challenges characteristic of PZQ and improve its solubility and bioavailability.

The Current Directions of Searching for Antiparasitic Drugs

Parasitic diseases are still a huge problem for mankind. They are becoming the main cause of chronic diseases in the world. Migration of the population, pollution of the natural environment, and climate changes cause the rapid spread of diseases. Additionally, a growing resistance of parasites to drugs is observed. Many research groups are looking for effective antiparasitic drugs with low side effects. In this work, we present the current trends in the search for antiparasitic drugs. We report known drugs used in other disease entities with proven antiparasitic activity and research on new chemical structures that may be potential drugs in parasitic diseases. The described investigations of antiparasitic compounds can be helpful for further drug development.

Pyrazoline derivatives as promising novel antischistosomal agents

Praziquantel is the only available drug to treat schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that currently infects more than 240 million people globally. Due to increasing concerns about resistance and inadequate efficacy there is a need for new therapeutics. In this study, a series of 17 pyrazolines (15–31) and three pyrazoles (32–34) were synthesized and evaluated for their antiparasitic properties against ex vivo adult Schistosoma mansoni worms. Of the 20 compounds tested, six had a 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) below 30 μM. Our best hit, pyrazoline 22, showed promising activity against adult schistosomes, with an EC₅₀ < 10 µM. Additionally, compound 22 had low cytotoxicity, with selectivity index of 21.6 and 32.2 for monkey and human cell lines, respectively. All active pyrazolines demonstrated a negative effect on schistosome fecundity, with a marked reduction in the number of eggs. Structure–activity relationship analysis showed that the presence of the non-aromatic heterocycle and N-substitution are fundamental to the antischistosomal properties. Pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness and medicinal chemistry friendliness studies were performed, and predicted values demonstrated an excellent drug-likeness profile for pyrazolines as well as an adherence to major pharmaceutical companies’ filters. Collectively, this study demonstrates that pyrazoline derivatives are promising scaffolds in the discovery of novel antischistosomal agents.

Efficacy of carvacryl acetate in vitro and following oral administration to mice harboring either prepatent or patent Schistosoma mansoni infections

Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem that afflicts more than 240 million individuals globally, particularly in poor communities. Treatment of schistosomiasis relies heavily on a single oral drug, praziquantel, and there is interest in the search for new antischistosomal drugs. This study reports the anthelmintic evaluation of carvacryl acetate, a derivative of the terpene carvacrol, against Schistosoma mansoni ex vivo and in a schistosomiasis animal model harboring either adult (patent infection) or juvenile (prepatent infection) parasites. For comparison, data obtained with gold standard antischistosomal drug praziquantel are also presented. Initially in vitro effective concentrations of 50% (EC₅₀) and 90% (EC₉₀) were determined against larval and adult stages of S. mansoni. In an animal with patent infection, a single oral dose of carvacryl acetate (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in worm burden (30-40%). S. mansoni egg production, a process responsible for both life cycle and pathogenesis, was also markedly reduced (70-80%). Similar to praziquantel, carvacryl acetate 400 mg/kg had low efficacy in pre-patent infection. In tandem, although carvacryl acetate had interesting in vitro schistosomicidal activity, the compound exhibited low efficacy in terms of reduction of worm load in S. mansoni-infected mice.

Evaluation of Gibbilimbol B, Isolated from Piper malacophyllum (Piperaceae), as an Antischistosomal Agent

Infections caused by parasitic worms impose a considerable worldwide health burden. One of the most impactful is schistosomiasis, a disease caused by blood-dwelling of the genus Schistosoma that affects more than 230 million people worldwide. Since praziquantel has also been extensively used to treat schistosomiasis and other parasitic flatworm infections, there is an urgent need to identify novel anthelmintic compounds, mainly from natural sources. In this study, the hexane extract from roots of Piper malacophyllum (Piperaceae) showed to be mainly composed for gibbilimbol B by HPLC/ESI-HRMS. Based on this result, this compound was isolated by chromatographic steps and its structure was confirmed by NMR. In vitro bioassays showed that gibbilimbol B was more active than praziquantel against larval stage of S. mansoni, with effective concentrations of 50 % (EC₅₀ ) and 90 % (EC₉₀ ) values of 2.6 and 3.4 μM, respectively. Importantly, gibbilimbol B showed no cytotoxicity to mammalian cells at a concentration 190 times greater than the antiparasitic effect, giving support for the anthelmintic potential of gibbilimbol B as lead compound for novel antischistosomal agents.

Antiparasitic Properties of Cardiovascular Agents against Human Intravascular Parasite Schistosoma mansoni

The intravascular parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni is a causative agent of schistosomiasis, a disease of great global public health significance. Praziquantel is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis and there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Adopting a phenotypic drug screening strategy, here, we evaluated the antiparasitic properties of 46 commercially available cardiovascular drugs against S. mansoni. From these screenings, we found that amiodarone, telmisartan, propafenone, methyldopa, and doxazosin affected the viability of schistosomes in vitro, with effective concentrations of 50% (EC₅₀) and 90% (EC₉₀) values ranging from 8 to 50 µM. These results were further supported by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Subsequently, the most effective drug (amiodarone) was further tested in a murine model of schistosomiasis for both early and chronic S. mansoni infections using a single oral dose of 400 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg daily for five consecutive days. Amiodarone had a low efficacy in chronic infection, with the worm and egg burden reduction ranging from 10 to 30%. In contrast, amiodarone caused a significant reduction in worm and egg burden in early infection (>50%). Comparatively, treatment with amiodarone is more effective in early infection than praziquantel, demonstrating the potential role of this cardiovascular drug as an antischistosomal agent.

Licarin A, a neolignan isolated from Nectandra oppositifolia Nees & Mart. (Lauraceae), exhibited moderate preclinical efficacy against Schistosoma mansoni infection

Schistosomiasis is a widespread human parasitic disease currently affecting over 200 million people, particularly in poor communities. Chemotherapy for schistosomiasis relies exclusively on praziquantel (PZQ). Previous studies have shown that licarin A (LIC-A), a dihydrobenzofuran neolignan, exhibited in vitro antiparasitic activity against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. This study aimed to investigate the potential of LIC-A, isolated as main metabolite from leaves of Nectandra oppositifolia Nees & Mart. (Lauraceae), as an antischistosomal agent orally active in schistosomiasis animal model. PZQ was used as a reference compound. As result, LIC-A showed, at a single dose of 400 mg/kg, to be able to partially cure infected mice (worm burden reductions of ~50%). Parasite eggs, that are responsible for a variety of pathologies and transmission of schistosomiasis, were also moderately inhibited by LIC-A (egg burden reductions of ~50%-60%). Furthermore, it was observed that LIC-A achieved a slight reduction of hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Collectively, although LIC-A was partially active when administered orally, these results give support for the antiparasitic potential LIC-A as lead compound for novel antischistosomal agent.

New evidence for tamoxifen as an antischistosomal agent: in vitro, in vivo and target fishing studies

Background: Praziquantel is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, and there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Methodology & results: We conducted in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies and report a target fishing investigation. In vitro, tamoxifen was active against adult and immature worms at low concentrations (<5 μM). Tamoxifen at a single dose (400 mg/kg) or once daily for five consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day) in mice harboring either adult (patent infection) or juvenile (prepatent infection) significantly reduced worm burden (30-70%) and egg production (70-90%). Target fishing studies revealed propionyl-CoA carboxylase as a potential target for tamoxifen in Schistosoma mansoni and glucose uptake by S. mansoni was also significantly reduced. Conclusion: Our results provide news evidence of antiparasitic effect of tamoxifen and reveal propionyl-CoA carboxylase as a potential target.

Evaluation of the non-clinical toxicity of an antiparasitic agent: diminazene aceturate

The diminazene aceturate (C₁₄H₁₅N₇.2C₄H₇NO₃) is a chemotherapeutic agent with more than six decades of use, however more studies regarding its toxicity still need to be performed. Thus, the present study determined the acute toxicity (14 days) of diminazene acetate (DIZE) in male and female swiss mice by changes in body mass, food consumption, biochemical and hematological parameters, locomotor activity and motor coordination. DIZE was administered at a single dose (1000 and 2000 mg/kg) orally. In addition, in vitro antioxidant capacity, hemolytic activity, toxicity in Artemia salina and in silico evaluation were also performed. The results obtained include several signs of toxicity (hypoactivity, loss of the straightening reflex and tachycardia), reduction of behavioral activity (locomotor activity and motor coordination) and significant changes (p < 0.05) in biochemical and hematological parameters. According to the in silico study, the DIZE can be classified based on the mean lethal dose (LD₅₀) in category 4 (300 mg/kg < LD₅₀ ≤ 2000 mg/kg, ProTox-II) or 3 (50 mg/kg < LD₅₀ ≤ 300 mg/kg, AdmetSAR 1.0). Additionally, DIZE (30.3-969.9 nM) was not toxic to A. salina in the first 48 hours of treatment and was not cytotoxic to rat red blood cells after induced hemolysis. In vitro results indicated low antioxidant capacity against DPPH^• and ABTS^•+ radicals. Therefore, DIZE induces several adverse effects with influence on the central nervous system, changes in hematological and biochemical parameters and even mortality at the highest dose. However, absence of toxicity was observed in A. salina and rats red blood cells.

Brazilian red propolis exhibits antiparasitic properties in vitro and reduces worm burden and egg production in an mouse model harboring either early or chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Propolis has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years and, in the past few decades, it has attracted renewed interest. Although propolis has been traditionally used in many communities worldwide against parasitic diseases, its effect against Schistosoma mansoni infection remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To demonstrate the effects of Brazilian red propolis on Schistosoma mansoni ex vivo and in an animal model of schistosomiasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro, we monitored phenotypic and tegumental changes as well as the effects of the crude extract of propolis on pairing and egg production. In a mouse infected with either immature (early infection) or adult (chronic infection) worms, propolis was administered by oral gavage and we studied the influence of this natural product on worm burden and egg production.

RESULTS

Propolis 25 μg/mL reduced motility and caused 100% mortality of adult parasites ex vivo. Further analysis revealed a pronounced reduction in oviposition after exposure to propolis at sub-lethal concentrations. In addition, scanning electron microscopy showed morphological alterations in the tegument of schistosomes. In the animal model, propolis markedly reduced worm burden and egg production in both early and chronic S. mansoni infection when compared to untreated control animals.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of Brazilian red propolis in both in vitro and in vivo studies suggests its potential anthelmintic properties against S. mansoni infection.

15β-Senecioyl-oxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic Acid, a Diterpene Isolated from Baccharis lateralis, as Promising Oral Compound for the Treatment of Schistosomiasis

Praziquantel is the only available drug to treat schistosomiasis, and therefore, urgent studies must be performed to identify new anthelmintic agents. This study reports the anthelmintic evaluation of two related ent-kaurane diterpenes isolated from aerial parts of Baccharis lateralis (Asteraceae), ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (1) and 15β-senecioyl-oxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2) against Schistosoma mansoni in vitro and in a murine model of schistosomiasis. Both compounds exhibited in vitro activity with lethal concentration 50% (LC₅₀) values of 26.1 μM (1) and 11.6 μM (2) as well as reduced toxicity against human cell lines, revealing a good selectivity profile, mainly with compound 2 (selectivity index > 10). Compound 2 also decreased egg production and caused morphological alterations in the parasite reproductive system. In mice infected with S. mansoni, oral treatment with compound 2 at 400 mg/kg, the standard dose used in this model of schistosomiasis, caused a significant reduction in a total worm burden of 61.9% (P < 0.01). S. mansoni egg production, a key mechanism for both transmission and pathogenesis, was also markedly reduced. In addition, compound 2 achieved a significant reduction in hepatosplenomegaly. Therefore, the diterpene 15β-senecioyl-oxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2) has an acceptable cytotoxicity profile and is orally active in a murine schistosomiasis model.