Abstract
Background: Today, the present protoscolicidals used to minimize the serious risks during hydatid cyst surgery are not completely safe and have various adverse side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and apoptotic activity of Ferula macrecolea essential oil (FMEO) as well as its in vitro and ex vivo protoscolicidal effects against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of FMEO. Protoscoleces of hydatid cysts were collected from liver fertile hydatid cysts of infected sheep and were then treated with various concentrations of the essential oil (75, 150, and 300 µL/mL) for 5–60 min in vitro and ex vivo. Then, by using the eosin exclusion test, the viability of the protoscoleces was studied. The caspase-3-like activity of the FMEO-treated protoscoleces was also evaluated through the colorimetric protease assay Sigma Kit based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: According to GC/MS, the main constituents of the essential oil were terpinolene (77.72%), n-nonanal (4.47%), and linalool (4.35%), respectively. In vitro, the maximum protoscolicidal activity of FMEO was observed at the concentrations of 150 and 300 µL/mL, such that 100% of the protoscoleces were killed after 30 and 20 min of exposure, respectively. Based on the obtained findings, the results demonstrate that FMEO required a longer time to kill protoscoleces ex vivo; after 12 min of exposure to FMEO, only 13.4% of the protoscoleces remained alive. After 48 h of the treatment of protoscoleces, FMEO, in a dose-dependent manner and at doses of 75, 150, and 300 µL/mL, induced the activation of the caspase enzyme by 24.3, 35.3, and 48.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the potent protoscolicidal effects of FMEO in vitro and ex vivo; however, further studies are required to assess the safety and the efficiency of FMEO as a promising scolicidal agent in a preclinical model and clinical setting.
Highlights
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis is well-known as one of the main important parasitic infections caused by the larval stage of the Echinococcus granulosus cestode [1].With respect to the lifecycle of the parasite, humans, as the intermediate host, are generally infected through the ingestion of food, water, vegetables, etc., contaminated with the parasite’s eggs excreted from dogs, the definitive host [2]
According to our best knowledge, there is no study on the antiparasitic effects of F. macrecolea; the present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, apoptotic activity, and protoscolicidal effects of F. macrecolea essential oil (FMEO) and its use against hydatid cyst protoscoleces in vitro and ex vivo
The best protoscolicidal activity of Ferula macrecolea essential oil (FMEO) was reported at the concentrations of 150 and 300 μL/mL, where 100% of the protoscoleces were destroyed after 30 and 20 min of treatment, respectively
Summary
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis is well-known as one of the main important parasitic infections caused by the larval stage of the Echinococcus granulosus cestode [1].With respect to the lifecycle of the parasite, humans, as the intermediate host, are generally infected through the ingestion of food, water, vegetables, etc., contaminated with the parasite’s eggs excreted from dogs, the definitive host [2]. The rupture of a cyst or leakage of cyst contents (protoscoleces), which leads to secondary infection or the involvement of nearby organs, is the main concern during hydatid cyst surgery [7]. To minimize these risks, various chemical protoscolicidal agents such as hypertonic saline (20%), silver nitrate, and formalin are used [8]. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and apoptotic activity of Ferula macrecolea essential oil (FMEO) as well as its in vitro and ex vivo protoscolicidal effects against hydatid cyst protoscoleces. The caspase-3-like activity of the FMEO-treated protoscoleces was evaluated through the colorimetric protease assay Sigma
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