In vitro effects of flubendazole on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to determine the in vitro protoscolicidal effect of flubendazole (FLBZ) against Echinococcus granulosus. Protoscoleces of E. granulosus were incubated with FLBZ at concentrations of 10, 5 and 1 microg/ml. The first signs of FLBZ-induced damage were observed 3 days post-incubation. A clear protoscolicidal effect, reducing the vitality of protoscoleces to 35.6+/-0.7%, was observed after 18 days of incubation. After 25 days of FLBZ incubation (5 microg/ml), the percentage of vital protoscoleces was 13.9+/-5.9%. Protoscolex mortality was 100% (10 and 1 microg/ml) and 0.7+/-0.7% (5 microg/ml) after FLBZ incubation for 30 days. Results of vitality tests were consistent with the tissue damage observed at the ultrastructural level. The primary site of damage was the tegument of the parasite. The morphological changes included contraction of the soma region, formation of blebs on the tegument, rostellar disorganization, loss of hooks and destruction of microtriches. The data reported in this article demonstrate a clear in vitro effect of FLBZ against E. granulosus protoscoleces.

Comparative Performances of Flubendazole and Albendazole in Cystic Echinococcosis: Ex Vivo Activity, Plasma/Cyst Disposition, and Efficacy in Infected Mice

“…The culture protocols were carried out as previously described (11) using 199 medium (Gibco, Invitrogen, Buenos Aires, Argentina) supplemented with 100 IU penicillin, 100 g/ml streptomycin, and 4 mg/ml glucose. Cultures were performed (in triplicate) in 10 ml of incubation medium at 37°C without changes of medium (12). Viable and free PSC (1,500 per Leighton tube) were incubated with 10 nmol/ml of FLBZ, R-FLBZ, ABZ, or ABZSO.…”

Improvement of the In Vitro Culture of Echinococcus Granulosus Metacestodes

“…Viability was assessed by muscular movements (evaluated under light microscope) and by the methylene blue exclusion test [10]. The culture protocol was carried out as described previously by Elissondo et al [4] with the addition of different concentrations of insulin to the medium.…”

In Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Artesunate Against the Cestode Raillietina Echinobothrida

“…26 The effects of albendazole, flubendazole and nitazoxanide are quite similar and are shown to cause decreased number and length of the microtriches, degeneration of the rostellum, blebbings on the tegument, disintegration of hooks and microtriches, accompanied by vesiculation in E. granulosus and E. multiloculoris. 25,27 This study thus present an evidence that artesunate is highly effective on the cestode R. echinobothrida. The effects are characteristics of the anthelmintic activities of standard drugs.…”

“…Consequently, it has been profusely documented that the distinctive effect of anthelmintic drugs is irrevocable modification and impairment of the tegument. [25][26][27] Albendazole and its related benzimidazoles are known directly interfere with the tegument and its supporting muscle layers by binding specifically to β-tubulins, thereby, inhibiting assembly and functioning of the cellular motor proteins. 28 Benzimidazoles are known for their broad-spectrum activities including antibacterial, anthelmintic, antiprotozoal, anticoagulant, antifungal, analgesic, antidiabetic, antiviral and anticancer activities.…”