Planta Med 2019; 85(18): 1485-1486
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3399889
Main Congress Poster
Poster Session 1
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

In vivo anthelmintic activity evaluation of licarin A, a neolignan isolated from leaves of Nectandra oppositifolia (Lauraceae)

GAA Conserva
1   Centre of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC,, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
,
TR Morais
2   Research Center on Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos,, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
,
VC Rodrigues
2   Research Center on Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos,, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
,
J de Moraes
2   Research Center on Neglected Diseases, University of Guarulhos,, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
,
JHG Lago
1   Centre of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC,, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 December 2019 (online)

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Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease affecting people worldwide, and its control is largely dependent on praziquantel. Thus, natural products are considered a valuable source for new prototypes. The hexane extract from leaves of N. oppositifolia (Lauraceae) displayed in vitro activity against Schistosoma mansoni. Based on this result, the bioactivity-guided fractionation of this extract afforded the isolation of lincarin A. The in vivo antischistosomal properties of licarin A were investigated for the first time in a murine model of schistosomiasis. For in vivo experiments, three-week-old Swiss female mice were subcutaneously injected with a suspension containing 80 S. mansoni cercariae (BH strain). Licarin A was administered by oral gavage to groups of five mice. Results showed that oral treatment with a single oral dose of licarin A achieved total worm burden reduction of 46.3% (P < 0.05). With respect to egg burdens, licarin A led to a reduction of 53.4% (P < 0.05) in the number of immature eggs, whereas analysis of fecal samples revealed a reduction of 76.8% (P < 0.05) of eggs. Regarding liver and spleen pathologies, licarin A reduced the infection-promoted increase in liver mass by 19.4% and spleen mass by 22.4% in adult S. mansoni-infected mice, in comparison to vehicle treated controls. In conclusion, oral treatment with licarin A at a single dose to mice harboring chronic infection decreased the number of parasites and eggs as well as ameliorated pathology in the liver and spleen, demonstrating the potential of this natural compound in the treatment of schistosomiasis.

 

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