Ultrastructural alterations of schistosomes induced by artemether

Abstract

Artemether,one of the derivatives of artemisinin,is effective not only against malaria.but also against schistosomes,especially against schistosomula.By the end of last century,artemether had been developed as an agent for prevention of schistosomiasis.In order to understand the antischistosomal properties of artemether,besides the activity of the drug on the biochemical metabolism of schistosomes.the artemether-induced ultrastructural alterations of the three major species of schistosomes infecting humans,i.e.,Schistosoma japonicum.S.mansoni and S.haematobium were studied using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The results indicated that,apart from the injury of tegument,sensory organelle and tubercle,artemether also exhibits an extensive damage to musculature,parenchymal tissue,gut epithelial cell and vitelline cell of sehistosomes.In this paper we summarized the results dealing with the ultrastructural alterations induced by artemether in these species of schistosomes and briefly discussed the relative issues. Key words: Artemether; Ultrastructure; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma haematobium; Scanning electron microscopy; Transmission electron microscopy