Investigating Therapeutic Potential of Beta-Glucan on Experimental Toxoplasmosis in Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Mice: In Silico and in Vivo Studies

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Aboul-Fotouh A.A.; Elfeky F.A.; Omar N.R.; Aboushousha T.; El-Wakil E.S.

Journal: Chemistry and Biodiversity

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc

Publication Date: 22 April 2025

Volume / Issue: Volume 22 / Issue 8

Article No.: e202500370

ISSN: 16121872

DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202500370

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 40192266

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Bronze Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Aboul-Fotouh A.A., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; Elfeky F.A., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; Omar N.R., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; Aboushousha T., Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; El-Wakil E.S., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

There is a need to find efficient treatment for toxoplasmosis, a global disease with a public health concern, as the used therapeutics have limited effectiveness. Beta-glucan (β-glucan), a natural polysaccharide, has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-infective activities against bacteria, viruses, and parasites. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of β-glucan on toxoplasmosis using an in silico study and an in vivo mice model. The β-glucan drug-likeness characteristics were evaluated by molecular docking simulations, Lipinski's RO5 filter analysis, and the computational quantitative structural-activity relationships/absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity predictive characteristics compared to spiramycin, an anti-toxoplasmosis drug. Sixty albino mice were divided into two divisions, immunocompetent and immunosuppressed. Each division contained five groups; healthy, diseased, spiramycin-treated, β-glucan-treated, and both β-glucan and spiramycin-treated groups. Parasitological, histopathological examinations, and immunological analysis were detected. β-glucan docked complexes demonstrated H-bonding and hydrophobic interactions towards their promising anti-toxoplasmosis targets compared to the spiramycin. The treated mice revealed a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the parasite burden. Regarding immunocompetent and immunosuppressed division, the group that was treated with both β-glucan and spiramycin, demonstrated the greatest outcomes, with 71% and 66% efficacy, respectively. It is concluded that β-glucan shows promising potential as an anti-toxoplasmosis candidate by potentiating the spiramycin effect and modulating the immunological response. © 2025 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.

Keywords

antiprotozoal agents; drug discovery; T. gondii putative ribose-5-phosphate isomerase; toxoplasmosis; β-glucans; Animals; beta-Glucans; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Immunocompetence; Immunocompromised Host; Mice; Molecular Docking Simulation; Structure-Activity Relationship; Toxoplasma; beta glucan; spiramycin; antiprotozoal agent; animal experiment; animal model; Article; computer model; controlled study; drug absorption; drug distribution; drug excretion; drug metabolism; experimental toxoplasmosis; histopathology; immune response; in vivo study; male; molecular docking; mouse; mouse model; nonhuman; parasite load; parasitology; quantitative structure activity relation; toxicity; animal; chemistry; disease model; drug effect; drug therapy; immunocompromised patient; structure activity relation

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 3

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