Evaluation of the anthelmintic effects of artesunate against experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice using different treatment protocols.
The therapeutic effects of artesunate against experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice were analyzed. Previous studies showed that artesunate is highly effective against S. japonicum infection, but the action of this drug against S. mansoni remained uncovered. The present study examines the optical conditions for artesunate against S. mansoni and evaluates the effects of inhibiting the sexual maturation of adult worms. Mice infected with S. mansoni were orally administered with artesunate according to different schedules. Four consecutive administrations of 300 mg/kg of artesunate at 2-week intervals conferred almost total protection without the development of pathological lesions in the liver. The significant reduction in the number of eggs produced by surviving worms and the status of egg maturation suggested that artesunate inhibits sexual maturation. Electron microscopy revealed that artesunate caused morphological damage, especially on the worm tegument. Artesunate was also very effective in iron-deficient mice. Furthermore, the efficacy of artesunate was equal to or better than that of artemether against S. japonicum infection. Considering that artemether is more toxic, artesunate is currently one of the most efficient drugs against immature S. mansoni.
Shaohong
Lu
L
Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China; Department of Molecular Parasitology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan.
Kumagai
Takashi
T
Qinghua
Ai
A
Xiaolan
Yan
Y
Ohmae
Hiroshi
H
Yabu
Yoshisada
Y
Siwen
Li
L
Liyong
Wen
W
Maruyama
Haruhiko
H
Ohta
Nobuo
N
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077332:Artesunate; D005260:Female; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate