Mechanisms of Arachidonic Acid In Vitro Schistosomicidal Potential

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Tallima H.; Mahmoud S.S.
Journal: ACS Omega
Publisher: American Chemical Society
Publication Date: 17 May 2024
Volume / Issue: Volume 9 / Issue 22
Pages: 23316–23328
ISSN: 24701343
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
Tallima H., Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences and Engineering, American University in Cairo, Cairo, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt; Mahmoud S.S., Department of Parasitology, Theodore Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El-Hadar, Giza, 12411, Egypt
Abstract
Arachidonic acid (ARA) was shown to possess safe and effective schistosomicidal impact on larval and adult Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma hematobium in vitro and in vivo in laboratory rodents and in children residing in low and high endemicity regions. We herein examine mechanisms underlying ARA schistosomicidal potential over two experiments, using in each pool a minimum of 50 adult male, female, or mixed-sex freshly recovered, ex vivo S. mansoni. Worms incubated in fetal calf serum-free medium were exposed to 0 or 10 mM ARA for 1 h at 37 °C and immediately processed for preparation of surface membrane and whole worm body homogenate extracts. Mixed-sex worms were additionally used for evaluating the impact of ARA exposure on the visualization of outer membrane cholesterol, sphingomyelin (SM), and ceramide in immunofluorescence assays. Following assessment of protein content, extracts of intact and ARA-treated worms were examined and compared for SM content, neutral sphingomyelinase activity, reactive oxygen species levels, and caspase 3/7 activity. Arachidonic acid principally led to perturbation of the organization, integrity, and SM content of the outer membrane of male and female worms and additionally impacted female parasites via stimulating neutral sphingomyelinase activity and oxidative stress. Arachidonic powerful action on female worms combined with its previously documented ovocidal activities supports its use as safe and effective therapy against schistosomiasis, provided implementation of the sorely needed and long waited-for chemical synthesis. © 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 2
For comprehensive information about the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), its institutional activities, scientific and research achievements, clinical and hospital services, and the diverse expertise offered through its 22 specialized research and clinical departments, as well as opportunities for professional training, specialized workshops, and scientific conferences, readers are invited to visit the Institute’s official website.
The website provides regularly updated information on the Institute’s latest news, research activities, scientific initiatives, clinical services, institutional programs, and academic and professional opportunities.
English Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/en/
Arabic Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/ar/
Prepared and Uploaded by:
Abdalla F. Abdalla
Electronic Portal Unit
