In Vitro Antiparasitic Activity of Propyl-Propane-Thiosulfinate (PTS) and Propyl-Propane-Thiosulfonate (PTSO) from Allium cepa against Eimeria acervulina Sporozoites

Abstract

Among the alternatives to control avian coccidiosis, alliaceous extracts stand out due to their functional properties. Despite this, most of the references are focused just on garlic. In this study, we analyze the in vitro effects of propyl-propane thiosulfinate (PTS) and propyl-propane thiosulfonate (PTSO), two organosulfur compounds from onion, on MDBK cells infected with sporozoites of Eimeria acervulina. To this aim, two different experiments were performed. In the first experiment, sporozoites were previously incubated for 1 h at 1, 5 and 10 µg/mL of PTS or PTSO and added to MDBK cells. In the second experiment, MDBK cells were first incubated for 24 h at different concentrations of PTS or PTSO and then infected with E. acervulina sporozoites. Then, 24 h after inoculation, the presence of E. acervulina was quantified by qPCR. MDBK viability was measured at 72 h post-infection. Sporozoites incubated at 10 µg/mL of PTS and PTSO inhibited the capability to penetrate the cells up to 75.2% ± 6.44 and 71.7% ± 6.03, respectively. The incubation of MDBK with each compound resulted in a preventive effect against sporozoite invasion at 1 µg/mL of PTS and 1 and 10 µg/mL of PTSO. Cells incubated with PTSO obtained similar viability percentages to uninfected cells. These results suggest that the use of PTS and PTSO is a promising alternative to coccidiosis treatment, although further in vivo studies need to be performed.

Botanicals: A promising approach for controlling cecal coccidiosis in poultry

“…Cholesterol is the main functional and structural unit of the cell membrane of Eimeria (166,167). In this way, saponins can kill the sporozoites or merozoites of Eimeria (55,(168)(169)(170). Saponins can directly interact with the sporozoite and stop reproduction (171).…”

Effect of an Alliaceae Encapsulated Extract on Growth Performance, Gut Health, and Intestinal Microbiota in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Eimeria spp.

“…Unlike other sulfur compounds from the genus Allium, PTSO is chemically stable but is insoluble in water. For this reason, it should be provided with a water-soluble carrier to increase its availability and absorption [18,19]. In addition, PTS and PTSO have shown to reduce the viability of E. acervulina sporozoites, improving the innate immune response [20], and inhibit the sporulation of E. tenella [21], and they are able to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and decrease intestinal pathobionts [22] in broiler chickens.…”

“…In addition, PTS and PTSO have shown to reduce the viability of E. acervulina sporozoites, improving the innate immune response [20], and inhibit the sporulation of E. tenella [21], and they are able to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and decrease intestinal pathobionts [22] in broiler chickens. Recently, Aguinaga-Casanas, et al [19] conducted a study in vitro that showed that PTSO inhibit the capability of E. acervulina sporozoites to penetrate Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells (MDBK cells), concluding that PTSO is a promising alternative to coccidiosis treatment. The Allium spp.…”