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Kuvaeva EE, Mertsalov IB, Simonova OB. Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Family of Channel Proteins. Russ J Dev Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360422050046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Boonen B, Startek JB, Milici A, López-Requena A, Beelen M, Callaerts P, Talavera K. Activation of Drosophila melanogaster TRPA1 Isoforms by Citronellal and Menthol. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010997. [PMID: 34681657 PMCID: PMC8541009 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) cation channels function as broadly-tuned sensors of noxious chemicals in many species. Recent studies identified four functional TRPA1 isoforms in Drosophila melanogaster (dTRPA1(A) to (D)), but their responses to non-electrophilic chemicals are yet to be fully characterized. METHODS We determined the behavioral responses of adult flies to the mammalian TRPA1 non-electrophilic activators citronellal and menthol, and characterized the effects of these compounds on all four dTRPA1 channel isoforms using intracellular Ca2+ imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. RESULTS Wild type flies avoided citronellal and menthol in an olfactory test and this behavior was reduced in dTrpA1 mutant flies. Both compounds activate all dTRPA1 isoforms in the heterologous expression system HEK293T, with the following sensitivity series: dTRPA1(C) = dTRPA1(D) > dTRPA1(A) ≫ dTRPA1(B) for citronellal and dTRPA1(A) > dTRPA1(D) > dTRPA1(C) > dTRPA1(B) for menthol. CONCLUSIONS dTrpA1 was required for the normal avoidance of Drosophila melanogaster towards citronellal and menthol. All dTRPA1 isoforms are activated by both compounds, but the dTRPA1(B) is consistently the least sensitive. We discuss how these findings may guide further studies on the physiological roles and the structural bases of chemical sensitivity of TRPA1 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Boonen
- Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, VIB-KU 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.B.); (J.B.S.); (A.M.); (A.L.-R.)
| | - Justyna B. Startek
- Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, VIB-KU 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.B.); (J.B.S.); (A.M.); (A.L.-R.)
| | - Alina Milici
- Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, VIB-KU 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.B.); (J.B.S.); (A.M.); (A.L.-R.)
| | - Alejandro López-Requena
- Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, VIB-KU 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.B.); (J.B.S.); (A.M.); (A.L.-R.)
| | - Melissa Beelen
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.B.); (P.C.)
| | - Patrick Callaerts
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.B.); (P.C.)
| | - Karel Talavera
- Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, VIB-KU 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.B.); (J.B.S.); (A.M.); (A.L.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-16-330-469
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Shimomura K, Oikawa H, Hasobe M, Suzuki N, Yajima S, Tomizawa M. Contact repellency by l-menthol is mediated by TRPM channels in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:1422-1427. [PMID: 33128491 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among insects, beetles are one of the most destructive pests of agricultural and stored products. Researchers have been investigating alternatives to pesticides for more sustainable pest management. Here, we focused on insect transient receptor potential (TRP) channel-targeted repellency. Among transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) channels, mammalian TRPM8 is activated by menthol and its derivatives, but few previous studies have reported on whether the insect TRPM channel is activated by chemical compounds. Here, we investigated whether the TRPM channel (TcTRPM) of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), a major stored-products pest, mediated the repellent behavior of l-menthol and its derivatives. RESULTS We initially investigated the repellent activity of l-menthol and menthoxypropanediol (MPD) against T. castaneum. The laboratory bioassay revealed that the repellent activities of l-menthol and MPD were dose dependent. RNA interference was used for transcriptional knockdown of TcTRPM and revealed that a reduced transcript level resulted in a significant decrease in l-menthol and MPD repellent activities. However, no significant decrease was observed for N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) repellency. The most abundant TcTRPM transcripts were observed in the antennae. However, antennae-plucked beetles maintained their repellent behavior with l-menthol. CONCLUSION The repellent activities of l-menthol and MPD for T. castaneum are mediated by TcTRPM, and it was suggested that the olfactory response is not adequate for avoidance, but that contact repellency might be a more important repellant method. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Shimomura
- Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences and Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hinoki Oikawa
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maaya Hasobe
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Suzuki
- Biological and Chemical Products Division, Nippi Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Yajima
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motohiro Tomizawa
- Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences and Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
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Himmel NJ, Letcher JM, Cox DN. Dissecting the Molecular and Neural Circuit Bases of Behavior as an Introduction to Discovery-Driven Research; A Report on a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience. JOURNAL OF UNDERGRADUATE NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION : JUNE : A PUBLICATION OF FUN, FACULTY FOR UNDERGRADUATE NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 19:A21-A29. [PMID: 33880089 PMCID: PMC8040840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Herein we discuss a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) developed in order to engage novice undergraduates in active learning and discovery-driven original research. This course leverages the powerful genetic toolkits available for Drosophila melanogaster in order to investigate the cellular and molecular bases of cold nociception. Given the relatively inexpensive nature of Drosophila rearing, a growing suite of publicly available neurogenomic data, large collections of transgenic stocks available through community stock centers, and Drosophila's highly stereotyped behaviors, this CURE design constitutes a cost-effective approach to introduce students to principles and techniques in genetics, genomics, behavioral neuroscience, research design, and scientific presentation. Moreover, we discuss how this paradigm might be adapted for continued use in investigating any number of systems and/or behaviors - a property we posit is key to impactful CURE design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jamin M. Letcher
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | - Daniel N. Cox
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
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Himmel NJ, Letcher JM, Sakurai A, Gray TR, Benson MN, Cox DN. Drosophila menthol sensitivity and the Precambrian origins of transient receptor potential-dependent chemosensation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20190369. [PMID: 31544603 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels are highly conserved, polymodal sensors which respond to a wide variety of stimuli. Perhaps most notably, TRP channels serve critical functions in nociception and pain. A growing body of evidence suggests that transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) and transient receptor potential ankyrin (TRPA) thermal and electrophile sensitivities predate the protostome-deuterostome split (greater than 550 Ma). However, TRPM and TRPA channels are also thought to detect modified terpenes (e.g. menthol). Although terpenoids like menthol are thought to be aversive and/or harmful to insects, mechanistic sensitivity studies have been largely restricted to chordates. Furthermore, it is unknown if TRP-menthol sensing is as ancient as thermal and/or electrophile sensitivity. Combining genetic, optical, electrophysiological, behavioural and phylogenetic approaches, we tested the hypothesis that insect TRP channels play a conserved role in menthol sensing. We found that topical application of menthol to Drosophila melanogaster larvae elicits a Trpm- and TrpA1-dependent nocifensive rolling behaviour, which requires activation of Class IV nociceptor neurons. Further, in characterizing the evolution of TRP channels, we put forth the hypotheses that three previously undescribed TRPM channel clades (basal, αTRPM and βTRPM), as well as TRPs with residues critical for menthol sensing, were present in ancestral bilaterians. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of mechanisms and behaviour important for pain'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J Himmel
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
| | - Jamin M Letcher
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
| | - Akira Sakurai
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
| | - Thomas R Gray
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
| | - Maggie N Benson
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
| | - Daniel N Cox
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
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The effects of the timing of exposure to cadmium on the oviposition behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. Biometals 2018; 31:1075-1080. [DOI: 10.1007/s10534-018-0148-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Experimental evolution of color preference for oviposition in Drosophila melanogaster. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10818-017-9261-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Bezzar-Bendjazia R, Kilani-Morakchi S, Aribi N. Larval exposure to azadirachtin affects fitness and oviposition site preference of Drosophila melanogaster. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 133:85-90. [PMID: 27742366 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Azadirachtin, a biorational insecticide, is one of the prominent biopesticide commercialized today and represent an alternative to conventional insecticides. The current study examined the lethal and sublethal effects of azadirachtin on Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) as biological model. Various doses ranging from 0.1 to 2μg were applied topically on early third instar larvae and the cumulative mortality of immature stage was determined. In second series of experiments, azadirachtin was applied at its LD25 (0.28μg) and LD50 (0.67μg) and evaluated on fitness (development duration, fecundity, adult survival) and oviposition site preference with and without choice. Results showed that azadirachtin increased significantly at the two tested doses the duration of larval and pupal development. Moreover, azadirachtin treatment reduced significantly adult's survival of both sex as compared to control. In addition, azadirachtin affected fecundity of flies by a significant reduction of the number of eggs laid. Finally results showed that females present clear preference for oviposition in control medium. Pre-imaginal exposure (L3) to azadirachtin increased aversion to this substance suggesting a memorability of the learned avoidance. The results provide some evidence that larval exposure to azadirachtin altered adult oviposition preference as well as major fitness traits of D. melanogaster. Theses finding may reinforce behavioural avoidance of azadirachtin and contribute as repellent strategies in integrated pest management programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radia Bezzar-Bendjazia
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Badji Mokhtar University of Annaba, 23000 Annaba, Algeria.
| | - Samira Kilani-Morakchi
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Badji Mokhtar University of Annaba, 23000 Annaba, Algeria.
| | - Nadia Aribi
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Badji Mokhtar University of Annaba, 23000 Annaba, Algeria.
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Abed-Vieillard D, Cortot J. When Choice Makes Sense: Menthol Influence on Mating, Oviposition and Fecundity in Drosophila melanogaster. Front Integr Neurosci 2016; 10:5. [PMID: 26941622 PMCID: PMC4761970 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2016.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The environment to which insects have been exposed as larvae and adults can affect subsequent behaviors, such as mating, oviposition, food preference or fitness. Experience can change female preference for oviposition, particularly in phytophagous insects. In Drosophila melanogaster, females avoid laying eggs on menthol rich-food when given the choice. Exposure to menthol during larval development reduces this aversion. However, this observation was not reproduced in the following generation. Recently, we have shown that oviposition-site preference (OSP) differs between wild-type D. melanogaster lines freely or forcibly exposed to menthol. After 12 generations, menthol "forced" lines still exhibit a persistent aversion to menthol whereas 'free-choice' lines show a decreased aversion for menthol rich-food. Here, we compare courtship behavior, mating and female fecundity in "forced" and "free-choice" lines, raised either on menthol rich-food (Menthol-lines) or on menthol-free food (Plain-lines). "Forced" males did not discriminate between decapitated virgin females of the two lines. They courted and mated with intact females of both "forced" lines in a comparable rate. However "forced" M-line males did mate significantly more rapidly with "forced" M-line females. In the "free-choice" procedure, P-line males show a similar pattern as "forced" males for discrimination ability and courtship. M-line males courted significantly more M-line females. Both 'free-choice' lines males mated significantly more with females of their own line. Female fecundity was assessed during 10 days in 'free-choice' lines. Menthol-line females laid more eggs during the first 4 days than female Plain-lines and parental control-line. The total number of eggs laid during the first 10 days of female adult life is comparable in M-line and parental control line. However, Menthol-line females laid eggs earlier than both parental control and Plain-lines. Our findings show that in D. melanogaster, as for OSP, mating and fecundity are more rapidly influenced when flies have a choice between alternative resources compared to flies permanently exposed to menthol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehbia Abed-Vieillard
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR6265 Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’AlimentationDijon, France
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1324 Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’AlimentationDijon, France
- UMR Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, Université de BourgogneDijon, France
| | - Jérôme Cortot
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR6265 Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’AlimentationDijon, France
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1324 Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’AlimentationDijon, France
- UMR Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, Université de BourgogneDijon, France
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Soto EM, Betti MIL, Hurtado J, Hasson E. Differential responses to artificial selection on oviposition site preferences in Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans. INSECT SCIENCE 2015; 22:821-828. [PMID: 25263841 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The preference-performance relationship in plant-insect interactions is a central theme in evolutionary ecology. Among many insects, eggs are vulnerable and larvae have limited mobility, making the choice of an appropriate oviposition site one of the most important decisions for a female. We investigated the evolution of oviposition preferences in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen and Drosophila simulans Sturtevant by artificially selecting for the preference for 2 natural resources, grape and quince. The main finding of our study is the differential responses of D. melanogaster and D. simulans. Although preferences evolved in the experimental populations of D. melanogaster, responses were not consistent with the selection regimes applied. In contrast, responses in D. simulans were consistent with expectations, demonstrating that this species has selectable genetic variation for the trait. Furthermore, crosses between D. simulans divergent lines showed that the genetic factors involved in grape preference appear to be largely recessive. In summary, our artificial selection study suggests that D. melanogaster and D. simulans possess different genetic architectures for this trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo M Soto
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, IEGEBA (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María I L Betti
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, IEGEBA (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Hurtado
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, IEGEBA (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Esteban Hasson
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, IEGEBA (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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French A, Ali Agha M, Mitra A, Yanagawa A, Sellier MJ, Marion-Poll F. Drosophila Bitter Taste(s). Front Integr Neurosci 2015; 9:58. [PMID: 26635553 PMCID: PMC4658422 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2015.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most animals possess taste receptors neurons detecting potentially noxious compounds. In humans, the ligands which activate these neurons define a sensory space called “bitter”. By extension, this term has been used in animals and insects to define molecules which induce aversive responses. In this review, based on our observations carried out in Drosophila, we examine how bitter compounds are detected and if bitter-sensitive neurons respond only to molecules bitter to humans. Like most animals, flies detect bitter chemicals through a specific population of taste neurons, distinct from those responding to sugars or to other modalities. Activating bitter-sensitive taste neurons induces aversive reactions and inhibits feeding. Bitter molecules also contribute to the suppression of sugar-neuron responses and can lead to a complete inhibition of the responses to sugar at the periphery. Since some bitter molecules activate bitter-sensitive neurons and some inhibit sugar detection, bitter molecules are represented by two sensory spaces which are only partially congruent. In addition to molecules which impact feeding, we recently discovered that the activation of bitter-sensitive neurons also induces grooming. Bitter-sensitive neurons of the wings and of the legs can sense chemicals from the gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, thus adding another biological function to these receptors. Bitter-sensitive neurons of the proboscis also respond to the inhibitory pheromone, 7-tricosene. Activating these neurons by bitter molecules in the context of sexual encounter inhibits courting and sexual reproduction, while activating these neurons with 7-tricosene in a feeding context will inhibit feeding. The picture that emerges from these observations is that the taste system is composed of detectors which monitor different “categories” of ligands, which facilitate or inhibit behaviors depending on the context (feeding, sexual reproduction, hygienic behavior), thus considerably extending the initial definition of “bitter” tasting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice French
- Evolution, Génomes, Comportement & Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Moutaz Ali Agha
- Evolution, Génomes, Comportement & Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Aniruddha Mitra
- Evolution, Génomes, Comportement & Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Aya Yanagawa
- Evolution, Génomes, Comportement & Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette, France ; Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University Uji City, Japan
| | - Marie-Jeanne Sellier
- Evolution, Génomes, Comportement & Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Frédéric Marion-Poll
- Evolution, Génomes, Comportement & Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette, France ; AgroParisTech Paris, France
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Immunological and parasitological parameters in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice treated with crude extract from the leaves of Mentha x piperita L. Immunobiology 2014; 219:627-32. [PMID: 24767421 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 03/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a chronic disease caused by an intravascular trematode of the genus Schistosoma. Praziquantel is the drug used for treatment of schistosomiasis; nevertheless failure of treatment has been reported. Consequently, the identification of new effective schistosomicidal compounds is essential to ensure the effective control of schistosomiasis in the future. In this work we investigated the immunomodulatory and antiparasitic effects of the crude leaves extract of Mentha x piperita L. (peppermint) on murine Schistosomiasis mansoni. Female Balb/c mice were infected each with 50 S. mansoni cercariae and divided into three experimental groups: (I) untreated; (II) treated daily with M. x piperita L. (100mg/kg) and III) treated on 1/42/43 days post-infection with Praziquantel (500mg/kg). Another group with uninfected and untreated mice was used as a control. Subsequently, seven weeks post-infection, S. mansoni eggs were counted in the feces, liver and intestine. Worms were recovered by perfusion of the hepatic portal system and counted. Sera levels of IL-10, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ, IgG1, IgE and IgG2a were assayed by ELISA. Animals treated with a daily dose of M. x piperita L. showed increased sera levels of IL-10, IFN-γ, IgG2a and IgE. Besides, M. x piperita L. treatment promoted reduction in parasite burden by 35.2% and significant decrease in egg counts in the feces and intestine.
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