In vitro effect of curcumin on Schistosoma species viability, tegument ultrastructure and egg hatchability

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Abou El Dahab M.M.; Shahat S.M.; Mahmoud S.S.M.; Mahana N.A.

Journal: Experimental Parasitology

Publisher: Academic Press Inc.

Publication Date: April 2019

Volume / Issue: Volume 199

Pages: 1–8

ISSN: 144894

DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.02.010

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 30790572

Document Type: Article


Authors and Affiliations

Abou El Dahab M.M., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt; Shahat S.M., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt; Mahmoud S.S.M., Theodore Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Mahana N.A., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt


Abstract

Schistosomiasis remains a severe problem of public health in developing countries. The development of resistance to praziquantel (PZQ) has justified the search for new alternative chemotherapies with new formulations, more effective, and without adverse effects. Curcumin (CUR), the major phenolic compound present in rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), has been traditionally used against various diseases including parasitic infections. Here, the antischistosomal activity of CUR (50–500 μM), evaluated in parallel against S. mansoni and S. haematobium adult worms, appeared significant (P < 0.05 to < 0.0001) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Two h incubation with CUR (500 μM) caused 100% irreversible killing of both schistosomal species. CUR (250 μM) caused the death of S. haematobium and S. mansoni worms after 2 h and 4 h, respectively. As CUR concentration decreases (50 μM), all coupled adult worms were separated into individual male and female but the worms remained viable up to 4 h. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that S. haematobium are more sensitive than S. mansoni to CUR schistosomicidal effects. In support, CUR was found to affect the antigenicity of surface membrane molecules of S. haematobium, but not S. mansoni. Of importance, CUR significantly (P < 0.05 to < 0.0001) affected S. mansoni eggs hatchability and viability, a ground for its use in chemotherapy of schistosomiasis mansoni and japonicum because of its increased bioavailability in the gastrointestinal tract. The data together emphasize that CUR is a promising potential schistosomicidal drug. © 2019


Keywords

Curcumin; Egg hatchability; Electron microscopy; ELISA; Schistosoma species; Animals; Antigens, Helminth; Antigens, Surface; Cricetinae; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Intestine, Small; Liver; Male; Mesocricetus; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Ovum; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomicides; Time Factors; membrane antigen; antischistosomal agent; parasite antigen; animal experiment; antigenicity; antiparasitic activity; Article; concentration response; controlled study; drug sensitivity; hatching; in vitro study; incubation time; mouse; nonhuman; parasite viability; priority journal; scanning electron microscopy; schistosomiasis; time; transmission electron microscopy; worm tegument; animal; Bagg albino mouse; dose response; drug effect; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; hamster; immunology; isolation and purification; parasitology; physiology; small intestine; time factor; ultrastructure


Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 16


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