Medicinal Plants Fight Parasite: Evidence on Stress Biomarkers and DNA Damage

Greg Howard
18th June, 2024

Medicinal Plants Fight Parasite: Evidence on Stress Biomarkers and DNA Damage

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Urmia University, Iran, found that essential oils from Lavender and carob can effectively kill liver fluke parasites
  • The essential oils caused significant DNA damage and oxidative stress in the parasites, leading to their death
  • These oils could be a promising alternative to current drugs, especially given the growing resistance to triclabendazole
Fasciolosis, caused by the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica, is a significant public health and economic issue worldwide. The increasing resistance to triclabendazole, the primary drug used to control this parasite, has necessitated the search for alternative treatments. Recent research conducted by Urmia University, Iran, has explored the potential of essential oils (EOs) from Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) as novel anthelmintics against F. hepatica[1]. The study's primary focus was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of these EOs on different life stages of F. hepatica, including eggs and adult worms. The researchers employed several assays to assess the anthelmintic activity. These included the egg hatch assay (EHA), adult motility inhibition assays, and measurements of DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and oxidative stress biomarkers. The biomarkers included glutathione peroxidase (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Various concentrations of the EOs (1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg/mL) were tested over a 24-hour period. The results were promising. Both L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs demonstrated significant anthelmintic effects that were dependent on the concentration and exposure time. The treatment led to increased DNA damage and ROS production in the worms, indicating oxidative stress. This oxidative stress was further evidenced by decreased levels of SOD, GST, and GSH, along with increased MDA levels, compared to the control group. These findings align with previous research that has highlighted the potential of phytotherapeutic agents in combating fasciolosis. For instance, a study investigating the effects of curcumin and thymoquinone on F. gigantica showed similar results, where these compounds induced oxidative stress and inhibited key antioxidant enzymes[2]. This suggests a common mechanism where phytochemicals disrupt the redox balance in liver flukes, leading to their death. The study also builds on the understanding of drug resistance in liver flukes. Resistance to triclabendazole has been a growing concern, with widespread cases reported globally[3]. The mechanism of this resistance is not fully understood, but it underscores the urgent need for alternative treatments. The use of EOs from L. angustifolia and C. siliqua could offer a viable alternative, especially given their ability to induce oxidative stress and damage in the parasites. Moreover, the study's findings are consistent with the broader context of fascioliasis control. The disease has shown marked heterogeneity in its epidemiology and transmission patterns across different regions[4]. This complexity necessitates diverse and adaptable control measures, and the use of phytotherapeutic agents could be an important addition to the current strategies. In conclusion, the research from Urmia University highlights the potential of L. angustifolia and C. siliqua essential oils as novel anthelmintic agents against F. hepatica. By inducing oxidative stress and damaging the parasites' DNA, these EOs could provide an effective alternative to current treatments, particularly in the face of rising drug resistance. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm their pharmacological potential and efficacy in treating parasitic infections.

MedicineBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Anthelmintic effects of some medicinal plants on different life stages of Fasciola hepatica: Evidence on oxidative stress biomarkers, and DNA damage.

Published 17th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012251

Related Studies

2) Generation of oxidative stress and induction of apoptotic like events in curcumin and thymoquinone treated adult Fasciola gigantica worms.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2019.107810

3) Current Threat of Triclabendazole Resistance in Fasciola hepatica.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2016.03.002

4) Chapter 2. Fasciola, lymnaeids and human fascioliasis, with a global overview on disease transmission, epidemiology, evolutionary genetics, molecular epidemiology and control.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-308X(09)69002-3


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