title: Evaluation of the antischistosomal activity of sulfated α-D-glucan from the lichen Ramalina celastri free and encapsulated into liposomes.
abstract: The antischistosomal activity of the sulfated polysaccharide α-D-glucan (Glu.SO(4)) extracted from Ramalina celastri was evaluated after encapsulation into liposomes (Glu.SO(4)-LIPO) in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. The effect of treatment with Glu.SO(4) and Glu.SO(4)-LIPO (10 mg/kg) on egg elimination, worm burden and hepatic granuloma formation was assessed using female albino Swiss mice, 35-40 days of age, weighing 25 ± 2 g, infected with 150 cercariae/animal (Biomphalaria glabrata, BH strain). Four groups (N = 10) were studied, two controls (empty liposomes and NaCl) and two treated groups (Glu.SO(4)-LIPO and Glu.SO(4)) using a single dose. Parasitological analysis revealed that Glu.SO(4)-LIPO was as efficient as Glu.SO(4) in reducing egg elimination and worm burden. Treatment with free Glu.SO(4) and Glu.SO(4)-LIPO induced a statistically significant reduction in the number of granulomas (62 and 63%, respectively). Lectin histochemistry showed that wheat germ agglutinin intensely stained the egg-granuloma system in all treated groups. On the other hand, peanut agglutinin stained cells in the control groups, but not in the treated groups. The present results suggest a correlation between the decreasing number of hepatic egg-granulomas and the glycosylation profile of the egg-granuloma system in animals treated with free Glu.SO(4) or Glu.SO(4)-LIPO.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo-Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil. rosangela.vidal@gmail.com
authors.forename: R V S
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Melo-Júnior
authors.forename: E I C
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Beltrão
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iacomini
authors.forename: A M A
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Carneiro-Leão
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Santos-Magalhães
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005936:Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry*; D008081:Liposomes; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D005936:Glucans; D008081:Liposomes; D010936:Plant Extracts; C078962:glucan sulfate