Schistosomicidal and hepatoprotective activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) alone or combined with praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni infection in murine model

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Fahmy A.M.; William S.; Hegab A.; TM D.
Journal: Experimental Parasitology
Publisher: Academic Press Inc.
Publication Date: July 2022
Volume / Issue: Volume 238
Article No.: 108260
ISSN: 144894
DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108260
Scopus: View on Scopus
PubMed: 35447136
Document Type: Article
Authors and Affiliations
Fahmy A.M., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt; William S., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt; Hegab A., Department of Developmental Pharmacology, National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Egypt; TM D., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) alone or combined with praziquantel (PZQ) against Schistosoma (S) mansoni infection in a murine model. Methods: Five groups, 8 mice each, were studied; GI served as normal controls; GII: S. mansoni-infected control group and the other three S. mansoni-infected groups received drug regimens for 5 consecutive days as follows GIII: Infected-PZQ treated group (200 mg/kg/day); GIV: Infected-GABA treated group (300 mg/kg/day) and GV: Infected-PZQ-GABA treated group (100 mg/kg/day for each drug). All animal groups were sacrificed two weeks later and different parasitological, histopathological and biochemical parameters were assessed. Results: Combined GABA-PZQ treated group recorded the highest significant reduction in all parasitological, histopathological and biochemical parameters followed by PZQ and finally GABA groups. Combined GABA-PZQ treatment led to the complete disappearance of immature eggs and marked reduction of deposited eggs in liver tissues and improved liver pathology. Significant improvement in hepatic oxidative stress levels, serum albumin and total protein in response to GABA treatment alone or combined with PZQ. Conclusion: GABA had schistosomicidal, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities against S. mansoni infection, GABA disrupted parasite pairing and activity, reduced the total number of worms recovered and the number of ova in the tissues. GABA may be considered an adjuvant therapy to potentiate PZQ antiparasitic activity and eradicate infection-induced liver damage and oxidative stress. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords
GABA; Granuloma diameter; Granuloma number; Oxidative stress; Praziquantel; Schistosoma mansoni; Animals; Anthelmintics; Disease Models, Animal; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Liver; Mice; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Schistosomicides; 4 aminobutyric acid; cremophore-el; discocide; protein; serum albumin; anthelmintic agent; antischistosomal agent; adjuvant therapy; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; antioxidant activity; Article; biochemistry; controlled study; disease eradication; drug activity; drug efficacy; experimental granuloma; female; hepatoprotective activity; histopathology; intestine tissue; liver injury; liver tissue; male; maturity; nonhuman; parasite egg count; parasitological parameters; reduction (chemistry); schistosomicidal activity; treatment response; worm burden; animal; disease model; mouse; parasitology; pathology
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 3
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