ABSTRACT
Abstract Schistosomiasis may be caused by six different species of the genus Schistosoma. Current treatment is based only on two drugs: oxamniquine, which is only effective against the Schistosoma mansoni species, and praziquantel, which is ineffective against young parasites. Therefore, research on new drugs and their targets for the treatment of this disease is urgently needed. In the present work, the efficacies of several seaweeds extracts against S. mansoni were tested. Worm couples were incubated with different concentration of seaweed extracts for 120 h and monitored after the first 2 h and then every 24 h to evaluate death, mobility reduction and couple detachment. The extracts of 13 different seaweed species were tested in a first trial and the active extracts were further evaluated in lower concentrations. The extracts of Gracilaria ornata and species belonging to the genera Dictyota and Laurencia showed activity at relatively low concentrations. The active extracts were analyzed by LC–MS, and possible candidates are proposed.
ABSTRACT
SUMMARY Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease with public health importance in tropical and subtropical regions. An alternative to the disease control is the use of molluscicides to eliminate or reduce the intermediate host snail population causing a reduction of transmission in endemic regions. In this study nine extracts from eight Piperaceae species were evaluated against Biomphalaria glabrata embryos at blastula stage. The extracts were evaluated in concentrations ranging from 100 to 10 mg/L. Piper crassinervium and Piper tuberculatum extracts were the most active (100% of mortality at 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L respectively). .
RESUMO A esquistossomose é uma doença negligenciada de importância para a saúde pública em regiões tropicais e subtropicais. Uma alternativa para o controle da doença é o uso de moluscicidas para eliminar ou reduzir a população de caramujo hospedeiro, acarretando uma redução da transmissão da doença nas regiões endemicas. Neste estudo, nove extratos vegetais provenientes de oito espécies de Piperaceae foram expostos a embriões de Biomphalaria glabrata no estágio de blástula. Os extratos foram avaliados em concentrações que variaram entre 100 e 10 mg/L, sendo Piper crassinervium e Piper tuberculatum os extratos mais ativos (100% de mortalidade a 20 mg/L e 30 mg/L respectivamente). .