Marhoon Ikhlas Abbas, Alwan Marwa Sami, Al-Ibrahimi Lubna A
Biology Department, College of Education, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq.
Acta Parasitol. 2025 May 21;70(3):113. doi: 10.1007/s11686-025-01049-4.
The current research aims to investigate the anthelmintic effects and cellular mechanisms induced by camphene (CP), a natural monoterpene found in certain herbs, against hydatid cysts and protoscoleces (PSCs) of Echinococcus granulosus.
The anthelmintic properties of CP were examined using the eosin exclusion assay on PSCs. The effects of CP on the expression levels of apoptotic and DNA damage-related genes in PSCs were evaluated, along with its impact on the plasma membrane (PM) and its ability to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The in vivo efficacy of CP, administered at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day for 28 days, was assessed in mice infected with hydatid cysts by measuring the quantity, dimensions, and weight of the cysts, as well as analyzing serum levels of inflammatory cytokines.
Results indicated that CP significantly decreased the viability of PSCs both in vitro and ex vivo (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. A notable upregulation of apoptotic genes (caspase-3 and caspase-9) and genes associated with DNA damage was observed (p < 0.001). CP treatment also enhanced plasma membrane permeability and ROS generation (p < 0.001). Furthermore, CP resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the number, size, and weight of hydatid cysts, as well as in the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β, with no significant changes in the serum levels of biomarkers related to liver and kidney function.
Recent research has demonstrated the promising in vitro and ex vivo effects of CP on hydatid cyst PSCs. Additionally, the study highlighted the in vivo potential of CP in controlling hydatid cysts within a murine model, attributing this efficacy to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms of action and to evaluate its effectiveness in clinical trials, which may facilitate the application of these nanoparticles in the treatment and management of cystic echinococcosis.
目前的研究旨在探究莰烯（CP）——一种存在于某些草药中的天然单萜——对细粒棘球绦虫包虫囊肿和原头节（PSCs）的驱虫作用及细胞机制。
使用伊红排斥试验检测CP对PSCs的驱虫特性。评估CP对PSCs中凋亡和DNA损伤相关基因表达水平的影响，以及其对质膜（PM）的影响和诱导活性氧（ROS）生成的能力。通过测量囊肿的数量、大小和重量以及分析血清炎症细胞因子水平，评估以20、40和80mg/kg/天的剂量给药28天的CP在感染包虫囊肿的小鼠体内的疗效。
结果表明，与对照组相比，CP在体外和离体实验中均显著降低了PSCs的活力（p<0.001）。观察到凋亡基因（caspase-3和caspase-9）和与DNA损伤相关的基因显著上调（p<0.001）。CP处理还增强了质膜通透性和ROS生成（p<0.001）。此外，CP导致包虫囊肿的数量、大小和重量以及血清中TNF-α和IL-1β浓度呈剂量依赖性降低，而与肝肾功能相关的生物标志物血清水平无显著变化。
最近的研究表明CP在体外和离体实验中对包虫囊肿PSCs具有良好的作用。此外，该研究强调了CP在小鼠模型中控制包虫囊肿的体内潜力，将这种疗效归因于其抗炎特性。然而，有必要进一步研究以阐明其具体作用机制并评估其在临床试验中的有效性，这可能有助于这些纳米颗粒在囊性棘球蚴病治疗和管理中的应用。
