Chemical investigation and anti-trichinellosis activity of some ficus species leaves: in silico supported in vitro study

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Abdel-Hameed E.-S.S.; Osman E.E.A.; Mohamed H.R.; El-Sayed M.M.; Okasha H.; Abdelmaksoud H.F.; El-Wakil E.S.

Journal: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd

Publication Date: 2026-08-14

Volume: 26   |   Issue: 1

Article No.: 246

ISSN: 26627671

DOI: 10.1186/s12906-026-05500-5

Scopus: View article on Scopus

PubMed: View article on PubMed

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Abdel-Hameed E.-S.S., Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Osman E.E.A., Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Mohamed H.R., Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; El-Sayed M.M., Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Okasha H., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Abdelmaksoud H.F., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Kornaish El-Nile St, Giza, 12411, Egypt; El-Wakil E.S., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Kornaish El-Nile St, Giza, 12411, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, trichinellosis is a zoonotic illness. Albendazole (ALB), the nowadays anti-trichinellosis drug, has side effects and insufficient effectiveness. Ficus species have ubiquitous health benefits. The current work aimed to assess the in vitro anti-trichinellosis potential of seven Ficus species compared to the reference drug, ALB. Method: Fourteen crude extracts from seven Ficus species (spp.) leaves were prepared using 70% methanol and aqueous solvents. Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) adult worms were isolated from infected mice, cultivated on a 24-well tissue culture plate, and subjected to the crude Ficus spp. extracts and ALB in culture media. The efficacy of the tested compounds was evaluated using parasitological analysis and electron microscopy (SEM). Preliminary phytochemical screening and total phenolic content were performed on Ficus spp. extracts showing the most promising effects. In addition, GC-MS analysis was performed on the most active extract to determine its chemical composition. Results: The parasitological analysis revealed that Ficus microcarpa (F.m) had the most promising effects, followed by Ficus sycomorus (F.s) and Ficus nitida (F.n) with the methanolic extracts’ LC50 of 12.8 µg/mL, 31.5 µg/mL, and 42.9 µg/mL, respectively, compared to the ALB (52.5 µg/mL). SEM results documented changes and a loss of the typical tegumental structure and morphology in adult T. spiralis worms. The GC-MS analysis of F.m methanolic extract yielded 26 compounds, including fatty acids, esters, tricyclic diol, and glucosinolates. Molecular docking studies further supported these results, with high binding affinities among the major compounds of F.m and the tubulin beta chain of T. spiralis, an essential protein for parasite survival. Conclusion: The current study emphasizes the promising potential of Ficus species, especially F.m, as natural sources for the development of antiparasitic agents for the therapy of trichinellosis. © The Author(s) 2026.

Keywords

Electron microscopy; Ficus; GC-MS; In silico study; In vitro analysis; Trichinella spiralis; Albendazole; Animals; Anthelmintics; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Mice; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Trichinellosis; antiparasitic agent; ester; fatty acid; Ficus microcarpa extract; Ficus nitida extract; Ficus sycomorus extract; glucosinolate; plant extract; unclassified drug; anthelmintic agent; adult; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; antiparasitic activity; Article; binding affinity; biochemistry; chemical composition; computer model; controlled study; Ficus sycomorus; IC50; in vitro study; mass fragmentography; molecular docking; molecular interaction; mouse; nonhuman; plant leaf; scanning electron microscopy; trichinosis; ultraviolet visible spectroscopy; animal; chemistry; drug effect; drug therapy

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0

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