title: Anti-Toxoplasma Activity of Estragole and Thymol in Murine Models of Congenital and Noncongenital Toxoplasmosis.
abstract: Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii , an obligatory intracellular protozoan. Normally benign, T. gondii infections can cause devastating disease in immunosuppressed patients and through congenital infection of newborn babies. Few prophylactic and therapeutic drugs are available to treat these infections. The goal of the present study was to assess the anti-Toxoplasma effects in a congenital and noncongenital model of toxoplasmosis (using ME49 strain), besides assessing immunological changes, in vitro cytotoxicity, and in vivo acute toxicity of commercial estragole and thymol. The congenital experimental model was used with intermediate stages of maternal infection. The serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were quantified from infected and treated C57Bl/6 mice. Estragole and thymol respectively exhibited low to moderate in vivo toxicity and cytotoxicity. Animals treated with estragole showed high IFN-γ and strong type 1 helper T cell response. Both compounds were active against T. gondii ME49 strain. Furthermore, orally administered estragole in infected pregnant mice improved the weight of offspring compared with untreated controls. Subcutaneous administration of both compounds also increased the weight of mouse offspring born to infected mothers, compared with untreated controls. Estragole and thymol display important anti-Toxoplasma activity. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of action of these compounds.
authors.affiliation: *   Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology/LABMAT, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Salgado Filho, s/n, Lagoa Nova, Natal/RN, CEP 59000-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudio B S
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: *   Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology/LABMAT, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Salgado Filho, s/n, Lagoa Nova, Natal/RN, CEP 59000-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ywlliane S R
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Meurer
authors.affiliation: *   Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology/LABMAT, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Salgado Filho, s/n, Lagoa Nova, Natal/RN, CEP 59000-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thales L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.forename: Adrian M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pohlit
authors.forename: Murilo V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Tiago W P
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Mineo
authors.affiliation: *   Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology/LABMAT, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Salgado Filho, s/n, Lagoa Nova, Natal/RN, CEP 59000-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Valter F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Andrade-Neto
mesh_terms: D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000818:Animals; D000840:Anisoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006367:HeLa Cells; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D013943:Thymol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000187:drug effects; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000151:congenital* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000840:Anisoles; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D013943:Thymol; C007633:estragole