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In vitro anthelmintic effects of cysteine proteinases from plants against intestinal helminths of rodents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2007

Gillian Stepek ,
Ann E. Lowe ,
David J. Buttle ,
Ian R. Duce  and
Jerzy M. Behnke
Gillian Stepek
Affiliation:
School of Biology, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
Ann E. Lowe
Affiliation:
School of Biology, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
David J. Buttle
Affiliation:
Academic Unit of Molecular Medicine, University of Sheffield Medical School, S10 2RX, UK
Ian R. Duce
Affiliation:
School of Biology, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
Jerzy M. Behnke*
Affiliation:
School of Biology, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
*
*Fax +44 115 951 3251 E-mail: jerzy.behnke@nottingham.ac.uk
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Abstract

Infections with gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes are amongst the most prevalent worldwide, especially in tropical climates. Control of these infections is primarily through treatment with anthelmintic drugs, but the rapid development of resistance to all the currently available classes of anthelmintic means that alternative treatments are urgently required. Cysteine proteinases from plants such as papaya, pineapple and fig are known to be substantially effective against three rodent GI nematodes, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Trichuris muris and Protospirura muricola, both in vitro and in vivo. Here, based on in vitro motility assays and scanning electron microscopy, we extend these earlier reports, demonstrating the potency of this anthelmintic effect of plant cysteine proteinases against two GI helminths from different taxonomic groups – the canine hookworm, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, and the rodent cestode, Rodentolepis microstoma. In the case of hookworms, a mechanism of action targeting the surface layers of the cuticle indistinguishable from that reported earlier appears to be involved, and in the case of cestodes, the surface of the tegumental layers was also the principal location of damage. Hence, plant cysteine proteinases have a broad spectrum of activity against intestinal helminths (both nematodes and cestodes), a quality that reinforces their suitability for development as a much-needed novel treatment against GI helminths of humans and livestock.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 81 , Issue 4 , December 2007 , pp. 353 - 360
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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