In vitro antischistosomal activities of phenylpropanoids and lignans against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms

Phenylpropanoids (isoeugenol, α-asarone, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, sinapic acid) and lignans 1 and 2 obtained by oxidative coupling of caffeic and sinapic acids, respectively, were evaluated in vitro against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. Couple adult worms of S. mansoni LE strain were recovered from mesenteric veins of the infected mice and cultured in 24-well plates at 37^°C in RPMI 1640 media. Samples were dissolved in 10% DMSO and diluted into the medium to give 10, 25, 50 and 100µM. Coupled adult worms were kept for 5 days and the viability, pairing, egg production, and egg development were monitored every 24h. As negative control (NCG) was used adult worms treated with 10% DMSO. Praziquantel (PZQ, 10µM) was used as positive control. Regarding the viability, neither phenylpropanoids nor lignans caused the death of the S. mansoni. Lignans 1 and 2 (10, 25, 50 and 100µM) reduced motor activity of the adult worms and significantly decreased daily egg production. Also, 1 and 2 (50 and 100µM) was able to separate the adult worm pairs into male and female after 120h of incubation. All tested phenylpropanoids were inactive against S. mansoni adult worms, while PZQ (10µM) caused death of worms and tegumental alterations.

Acknowledgements: To FAPESP for financial support (2006/60142–4) and fellowships (2008/09273–1; 2008/01174–4).