In vitro and in vivo treatments of Echinococcus granulosus with Huaier aqueous extract and albendazole liposome

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo efficacies of chemotherapy employing albendazole liposome (L-ABZ), Huaier aqueous extract, and a Huaier aqueous extract/L-ABZ combination against Echinococcus granulosus. Protoscolices of E. granulosus were incubated in vitro with the two drugs, either separately or in combination, at the following final concentrations: 2 mg/mL Huaier aqueous extract, 10 μg/mL L-ABZ, and 2 mg/mL Huaier aqueous extract + 10 μg/mL L-ABZ. Huaier aqueous extract and L-ABZ displayed slower protoscolicidal activity when applied separately than when used in combination. The maximum protoscolicidal effect was found with the combination Huaier aqueous extract + L-ABZ. Despite the low Huaier aqueous extract + L-ABZ concentrations used, protoscolex viability dropped rapidly. In vivo studies were performed on mice injected with protoscolices of E. granulosus. Huaier aqueous extract and L-ABZ were administered three times a week for a period of 4 months by the oral route. Huaier aqueous extract in E. granulosus-infected mice was effective. Combined application of both drugs did increase the treatment efficacy. In conclusion, the outcomes obtained clearly demonstrated that in vitro and in vivo treatment with Huaier aqueous extract and L-ABZ is effective against E. granulosus.

Huaier Extract Induces Autophagic Cell Death by Inhibiting the mTOR/S6K Pathway in Breast Cancer Cells

“…Natural dietary products have been widely and safely consumed over centuries, and preclinical studies suggest that some have potential applications in pharmacology and cancer therapy [ 5 ]. In recent years, Huaier extract has attracted increased attention due to its biological activities, including antitumor [ 6 ], anti-parasite [ 7 ] and immunomodulatory effects [ 8 ]. In our previous studies, we have shown that Huaier extract exerts a strong anti-proliferative effect by inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis, suppressing the estrogen receptor α pathway, and inhibiting angiogenesis in breast cancers [ 9 – 11 ].…”

In vitro treatments of Echinococcus granulosus with fungal chitosan, as a novel biomolecule

“…If patients for whom surgery is not suitable or they refuse surgery, chemotherapy and puncture are recommended as alternative medication [16] . Inactivation of the scolex with a protoscolicidal agent before surgery is intensely recommended, because the spillage of the cyst contents is a major cause of return [17] .…”

“…Inactivation of the scolex with a protoscolicidal agent before surgery is intensely recommended, because the spillage of the cyst contents is a major cause of return [17] . During hydatid cyst surgery protoscolicidal agents used to reduce the risk of spillage of viable protoscolices for surgical success [16] . The benzimidazole derivatives and mebendazole are common drugs presently used for management of hydatids cysts.…”

Progress in the pharmacological treatment of human cystic and alveolar echinococcosis: Compounds and therapeutic targets

“…Although liposomal ABZ treatment of E . granulosus protoscoleces cultured in vitro only showed a very limited (~20%) effect in viability reduction, intra-gastric administration of the same formulation in mice with secondary hydatidosis was sufficient to prevent cyst development in 17 out of 20 (85%) treated mice [ 101 ]. Unfortunately, pure ABZ was not used as a control in this study, so a direct comparison of the therapeutic effectivities of both compounds was not possible.…”