In vitro study of mebendazole [Anthelmintic drug] effects on the aspartate aminotransferase [AST] enzyme activity of hydatid cyst parasite

Hydatid disease is caused by the larva of Echinococcus granulosus parasite. Mebendazole [MBZ] is used as an alternative choice for the treatment of the disease

Aspartate aminotransferase [AST] is an essential enzyme in amino acid metabolism

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of MBZ on AST activity of hydatid cyst parasite in order to detect enzymatic parameter for drug efficiency. In the present study, AST activity was estimated in the extracts of untreated parasite [hydatid cyst protoscolices] and treated samples by MBZ [100 microg final concentration]

Samples' protein quantity and quality were detected by Bradford and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] methods respectively

For the purpose of determining the significant difference between the two independent samples, t-test was conducted. The values of the assayed AST specific activities of treated and untreated parasite samples were measured as 0.18 and 1.53U/ml/mg protein respectively

The difference between AST activities mean values of the two groups proved to be significant [P<0.05]. SDS-PAGE demonstrated protein band of 50 kDa for AST enzyme. Considering the effect of the MBZ drug on AST activity in parasite, it can be concluded that this enzyme is useful for improving the drug efficiency?

Triclabendazole effect on protease enzyme activity in the excretory- secretory products of fasciola hepatica in vitro

Fasciola hepatica is one of the most important helminthes parasites and triclabendazole [TCBZ] is routinely used for treatment of infected people and animals. Secreted protease enzymes by the F hepatica plays a critical role in the invasion, migration, nutrition and the survival of parasite and are key targets for novel drugs and vaccines. The aim of study was to determine the protease activity of excretory- secretory products [ESP] of F. hepatica in the presence of TCBZ anthel-mintic. F hepatica helminthes were collected and cultured within RPMI 1640 [TCBZ treated [test] and untreated [control]] for 6 h at 37 degree C. ESP of treated and control were collected, centrifuged and supernatants were stored at -20 degree C. Protein concentrations were measured according to Bradford method. Protease enzymes activities of ESP samples were estimated by using sigma's non-specific protease activity assay. ESP protein bands were detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE]. Mean protein concentrations in control and treated of ESP samples were determined 196.1 +/- 14.52 and 376.4 +/- 28.20 microg/ml, respectively. Mean protease enzymes activities in control and treated were 0.37 +/- 0.1 and 0.089 +/- 0.03 U/ml, respectively. Significant difference between proteins concentrations and protease enzymes activities of two groups was observed [P<0.05] SDS-PAGE showed different patterns of protein bands between treated and control samples. The TCBZ reduced secreted protease enzymes activities and possibly effects on invasion, migration, nutrition and particularly survival of the parasite in the host tissues