β-sitosterol: A novel molluscicidal agent from Liagora farinosa against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails with computational insights into its interaction with the retinoid X Receptor

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Abdel-Tawab H.; Al-Sayed S.E.; Elsayed K.N.M.; Wang C.; Al-olayan E.; Mohamed E.I.A.; Ibrahim A.M.; El-Mallah A.M.

Journal: Experimental Parasitology

Publisher: Academic Press Inc.

Publication Date: October 2025

Volume / Issue: Volume 277

Article No.: 109023

ISSN: 144894

DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109023

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 40935059

Document Type: Article

Authors and Affiliations

Abdel-Tawab H., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt; Al-Sayed S.E., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt; Elsayed K.N.M., Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Salah Salem St., Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt; Wang C., School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China; Al-olayan E., Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Mohamed E.I.A., Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt; Ibrahim A.M., Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; El-Mallah A.M., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a tropical parasitic disease that presents significant public health concerns, occurring in both acute and chronic forms. In Egypt, the freshwater snail Biomphalaria alexandrina is the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. This study evaluated the molluscicidal potential of β-sitosterol, isolated from the marine red alga Liagora farinosa, along with its methanolic extract, against B. alexandrina. Bioassay results demonstrated potent molluscicidal activity, with the methanolic extract exhibiting LC50 and LC90 values of 187.5 mg/L and 231.8 mg/L, respectively, and β-sitosterol showing enhanced potency with LC50 and LC90 values of 36.1 mg/L and 41.7 mg/L after 48 h of exposure. Sublethal concentrations of β-sitosterol significantly reduced snail survival and reproductive rates. Biochemical analyses revealed a marked decrease in total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, accompanied by increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH), indicating oxidative stress. Histopathological examination of treated snails showed extensive damage in the digestive and hermaphrodite glands, including vacuolation, cellular rupture, and degeneration of reproductive cells. Ultrastructural alterations such as nuclear disintegration, cytoplasmic vacuolation, residual body accumulation, and microvilli loss were also observed. Computational studies suggested retinoid X receptor to be a plausible target for β-sitosterol in its molluscicidal activity. These findings highlight the potential of L. farinosa extracts and β-sitosterol as bioactive agents for Schistosoma mansoni intermediate host. However, further research is required to assess their impact on non-target aquatic organisms. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

Biomphalaria alexandrina; Digestive gland; Liagora farinosa; Schistosoma mansoni; β-sitosterol; Animals; Biomphalaria; Glutathione; Lethal Dose 50; Malondialdehyde; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Molecular Docking Simulation; Molluscacides; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Sitosterols; Superoxide Dismutase; malonaldehyde; methanol; molluscacide; retinoid X receptor; sitosterol; gamma-sitosterol; plant extract; sitosterol derivative; animal cell; animal experiment; animal tissue; Article; biochemical analysis; cell degeneration; cell nucleus; cell vacuole; chemical structure; concentration response; controlled study; cytoplasm; down regulation; drug effect; drug potency; drug targeting; exocrine gland; female; hermaphrodite gland; histopathology; LC50; LC90; microvillus; molecular docking; molluscicidal activity; nonhuman; receptor binding; red alga; reproductive success; sublethal concentration; survival rate; total antioxidant capacity; ultrastructure; upregulation; animal; chemistry; isolation and purification; LD50; metabolism; physiology; transmission electron microscopy

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0

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

Electronic Portal Unit

Popular Posts

Transcriptome analysis for Schistosoma vector snail’s Oncomelania hupensis exposed to silver nanoparticles

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Zayed K.M.; Zhou X.-N. Journal: Journal of Parasitic Diseases Publisher: Springer Publication Date: 3 September 2026 ISSN: 9717196 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-026-01986-5 Scopus: View on Scopus Document Type: Article Authors and Affiliations Zayed K.M., Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200025, China, NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200025, China; Zhou X.-N., National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200025, China, NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Res...
Read more

Interpretation of liver stiffness measurement in patients with mixed liver disease etiologies

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: El Ray A.; El Ghannam M.; Rautou P.E. Journal: Arab Journal of Gastroenterology Publisher: Elsevier Ltd Publication Date: August 2026 ISSN: 16871979 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2026.05.002 Scopus: View on Scopus PubMed: 42362465 Document Type: Letter Authors and Affiliations El Ray A., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Hepatogastroenterology Department, Giza, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Egypt; El Ghannam M., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Hepatogastroenterology Department, Giza, Egypt; Rautou P.E., Université Paris-Cité, Inserm, Centre de recherche sur l’inflammation, UMR 1149, Paris, France, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Service d’Hépatologie, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, ERN RARE-LIVER, Clichy, France Abstract Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE)–based liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is widely used for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis and p...
Read more

Multifunctional polycaprolactone-based composite fibers with icariin and glutathione for effective repair of critical-sized bone defects

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Yessuf A.M.; Zhang Y.; Sharma B.P.; Wang Y.; Kassa T.S.; Qadir A.; Jinqiu Y.; Mohideen M.M.; Salama A.M.; Wang W.; Zhang Q.; Liu Y. Journal: BMEMat Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc Publication Date: 30 July 2026 ISSN: 27517438 DOI: 10.1002/bmm2.70115 Scopus: View on Scopus Document Type: Article Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access Authors and Affiliations Yessuf A.M., Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Composites, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China; Zhang Y., Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Henan, Zhengzhou, China; Sharma B.P., Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Process and Technology of Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China; Wang Y., Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China; Kassa T.S., Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Composites, Col...
Read more

Holothuria arenicola Extract-Loaded Polycaprolactone Nanocapsules Attenuate Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Acute Liver Injury

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Mansour E.M.; Shemis M.; Fahmy S.R.; Amer M.A.; Mohamed A.S. Journal: Current Nanomedicine Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Publication Date: September 2026 Volume / Issue: Volume 16 / Issue 5 Pages: 771–786 ISSN: 24681873 DOI: 10.2174/0124681873401484250924125945 Scopus: View on Scopus Document Type: Article Authors and Affiliations Mansour E.M., Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Shemis M., Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Fahmy S.R., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; Amer M.A., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; Mohamed A.S., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Abstract Introduction: Cholestatic liver diseases are characterized by jaundice and cholestasis with various conseq...
Read more

Mytilus edulis-mediated green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles with antimicrobial and molluscicidal applications

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Dokmak H.-A.A.; AlSedawy M.; Ramadan M.A.; Amin B.H.; Faid A.H.; Abdelmaksoud H.F.; El-Sayed S.M. Journal: Scientific Reports Publisher: Nature Research Publication Date: 7 September 2026 Volume / Issue: Volume 16 / Issue 1 Article No.: 27918 ISSN: 20452322 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-65860-3 Scopus: View on Scopus PubMed: 42706305 Document Type: Article Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access Authors and Affiliations Dokmak H.-A.A., Department of Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; AlSedawy M., Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (For Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; Ramadan M.A., Department of Laser Application in Metrology, Photochemistry and Agriculture, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Science (NILES) Cairo University (CU), Giza, Egypt; Amin B.H., The Regional Center for Mycology and Biotechnology, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11787,...
Read more

Microbial levan potentiates hepatic retention and antitumor activity of a PEGylated benzimidazole–curcumin nanocomplex through TLR2–FXR/FGF15-associated immunometabolic remodeling in experimental liver cancer

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Shawky H.; Ibrahim N.E.; Amer M.N.; Al-Ashmawy A.A.K.; Hammam O.A.; Fayed D.B.; Maghraby A.S. Journal: Scientific Reports Publisher: Nature Research Publication Date: 12 August 2026 Volume / Issue: Volume 16 / Issue 1 Article No.: 25094 ISSN: 20452322 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-64576-8 Scopus: View on Scopus PubMed: 42581056 Document Type: Article Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access Authors and Affiliations Shawky H., Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt; Ibrahim N.E., Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt; Amer M.N., Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt; Al-Ashmawy A.A.K., Therapeutic Chem...
Read more

Variable clinical presentations of pulmonary hydatid cysts: a four-case series from a single center in United Arab Emirates, non-endemic region

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Yehya M.; Abdallah M.F.H.; Ajeka S.; Al-Masalmeh F.H.; Albaghdadi M.O.J. Journal: Journal of Surgical Case Reports Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication Date: 29 July 2026 Volume / Issue: Volume 2026 / Issue 7 Article No.: rjag658 ISSN: 20428812 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjag658 Scopus: View on Scopus Document Type: Article Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access Authors and Affiliations Yehya M., Department of Thoracic Surgery, SAQR Hospital, Al Juwais Al Kadi St, Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates; Abdallah M.F.H., Department of Radiology, SAQR Hospital, Al Juwais Al Kadi St, Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Mahad Al Abhas Al bahari St, Kornish Al Nile, Warraq Al Arab, Al Warak, Governorate, Giza, 3863341, Egypt; Ajeka S., Department of General Surgery, SAQR Hospital, Al Juwais Al Kadi St, Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates; Al-Masalmeh F.H., Department of ...
Read more