title: A comparison of the antischistosomal effect of levo- and dextro-praziquantel on Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni in mice.
abstract: Praziquantel (PZQ) is a racemic compound composed of equal proportions of its optical isomers, levo- and dextro-PZQ. The efficacy of these compounds was compared with that of PZQ in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum or S. mansoni. Mice were given 50, 2 x 50 (on consecutive days), 500, or 2 x 250 mg/kg of each compound orally 5 weeks after infection. Significant reduction of worm recovery was observed in S. japonicum infection 30 days after treatment with 2 x 50, 500, or 2 x 250 mg/kg of levo-PZQ, whereas no therapeutic effect was demonstrated with dextro-PZQ. Percent reduction in worm burden in mice treated with levo-PZQ was significantly higher than in those with PZQ at a dosage of 2 x 50 mg/kg (67.9% vs. 34.5%). Neither eggs in feces nor miracidial hatching of eggs from the livers and intestines were observed in mice treated with levo-PZQ. In S. mansoni infection, levo-PZQ showed no significant schistosomicidal effect compared with PZQ and dextro-PZQ, although there was reduction in egg counts.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohmae
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Utsunomiya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Irie
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasuraoka
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000187:drug effects; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D012556:Schistosomicides; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D012556:Schistosomicides; D011223:Praziquantel