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In vitro and in silico evaluation of the schistosomicidal activity of eugenol derivatives using biochemical, molecular, and morphological tools

Isabella Maria Monteiro de Souza1, Romulo Dias Novaes1, Reggiani Vilela Gonçalves2, Felipe Leonardo Bley Fialho3, Diogo Teixeira Carvalho4, Thiago Belarmino de Souza5, Danielle Ferreira Dias3, Stefânia Neiva Lavorato6, Raquel Lopes Martins Souza1, Marcos José Marques1, Aline Pereira Castro1,7 [ + show more ]

J Venom Anim Toxins incl Trop Dis, 2022, 28:e20210108
Received: 21 October 2021 | Accepted: 20 May 2022 | Published online: 01 July 2022
https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-JVATITD-2021-0108

Abstract

Background: Eugenol shows both antibacterial and antiparasitic activities, suggesting that it might be evaluated as an option for the treatment of praziquantel-resistant schistosome. Methods: The in vitro activities of three eugenol derivatives (FB1, FB4 and FB9) on adult worms from Schistosoma mansoni were examined by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy to analyze effects on the excretory system and integument damage, respectively. Biochemical tests with verapamil (a calcium channel antagonist) and ouabain (a Na+/K+-ATPase pump inhibitor) were used to characterize eugenol derivative interactions with calcium channels and the Na+/K+-ATPase, while in silico analysis identified potential Na+/K+-ATPase binding sites. Results:  The compounds showed effective doses (ED50) of 0.324 mM (FB1), 0.167 mM (FB4), and 0.340 mM (FB9). In addition, FB4 (0.322 mM), which showed the lowest ED50, ED90 and ED100 (p < 0.05), caused the most damage to the excretory system and integument, according to both fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The death of adult worms was delayed by ouabain treatment plus FB1 (192 versus 72 hours) and FB9 (192 versus 168 hours), but the response to FB4 was the same in the presence or absence of ouabain. Besides, no changes were noted when all of the eugenol derivatives were combined with verapamil. Moreover, FB1 and FB9 inhibited Na+/K+-ATPase activity according to in silico analysis but FB4 did not show a time-dependent relationship and may act on targets other than the parasite Na+/K+-ATPase. Conclusion: Eugenol derivatives, mainly FB4 when compared to FB1 and FB9, seem to act more effectively on the integument of adult S. mansoni worms.

 

Keywords: Schistosoma mansoni; Eugenol; Schistosomiasis; Mechanism of action.

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