A simple LC-MS/MS method to determine plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of albendazole metabolites (albendazole sulfoxide and albendazole sulfone) in patients with neurocysticercosis

Dual-emissive Eu(III)-functionalized metal-organic frameworks for visual, rapid, and intelligent sensing of albendazole and albendazole sulfoxide in animal-origin food

Albendazole (ABZ), a benzimidazole-based anthelmintic, is widely used to treat helminth infections. The extensive and improper use of ABZ may cause drug residues in animal-origin food and anthelmintics resistance, which potentially threaten human health. Meanwhile, albendazole sulfoxide (ABZSO), a metabolite of ABZ, also exhibits toxic effects. Therefore, the detection of ABZ and ABZSO in animal-derived food is significantly necessary. Herein, a dual-emission europium fluorescent sensor (EuUHC-30) was rationally designed and constructed. EuUHC-30 exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity towards ABZ and ABZSO with a detection limit of 0.10 and 0.13 μM, respectively. Furthermore, EuUHC-30 was successfully applied for quantification of ABZ and ABZSO in milk and pig kidney, which were verified by HPLC analysis. Moreover, a smartphone-assisted EuUHC-30 fluorescent paper sensor was fabricated for the practical determination of ABZ and ABZSO in real food. Overall, this work provides a visual, rapid, and intelligent method for the detection of ABZ and ABZSO in animal-origin food.

Melatonin in Combination with Albendazole or Albendazole Sulfoxide Produces a Synergistic Cytotoxicity against Malignant Glioma Cells through Autophagy and Apoptosis

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and lethal brain tumor in adults, presenting diffuse brain infiltration, necrosis, and drug resistance. Although new drugs have been approved for recurrent patients, the median survival rate is two years; therefore, new alternatives to treat these patients are required. Previous studies have reported the anticancer activity of albendazole, its active metabolite albendazole sulfoxide, and melatonin; therefore, the present study was performed to evaluate if the combination of melatonin with albendazole or with albendazole sulfoxide induces an additive or synergistic cytotoxic effect on C6 and RG2 rat glioma cells, as well as on U87 human glioblastoma cells. Drug interaction was determined by the Chou-Talalay method. We evaluated the mechanism of cell death by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and crystal violet staining. The cytotoxicity of the combinations was mainly synergistic. The combined treatments induced significantly more apoptotic and autophagic cell death on the glioma cell lines. Additionally, albendazole and albendazole sulfoxide inhibited proliferation independently of melatonin. Our data justify continuing with the evaluation of this proposal since the combinations could be a potential strategy to aid in the treatment of glioblastoma.

Occurrence, ecology risk assessment and exposure evaluation of 19 anthelmintics in dust and soil from China

In order to fill the blank of domestic research on anthelmintics in dust and soil, 159 paired dust (including indoor and outdoor dust) and soil samples were collected nationwide. All 19 kinds of the anthelmintics were detected in the samples. The total concentration of the target substances in the outdoor dust, indoor dust and soil samples ranged from 1.83 to 1.30 × 10³ ng/g, from 2.99 to 6.00 × 10³ ng/g and from 0.23 to 8.03 × 10² ng/g, respectively. The total concentration of the 19 anthelmintics in northern China were significantly higher than those in southern China in the outdoor dust and soil samples. No significant correlation was found in the total concentration of anthelmintics between the indoor and outdoor dust because of strong human activities interference, however, a significant correlation existed between the outdoor dust and soil samples and between the indoor dust and soil samples. High ecological risk was found at 35% and 28% of all the sampling sites to non-target organisms in the soil respectively for IVE and ABA, and merits further study. The daily anthelmintics intakes were evaluated via ingestion and dermal contact of soil and dust samples for both children and adults. Ingestion was the predominant way for anthelmintics exposure, and the anthelmintics in soil and dust did not pose a health threat to human health at present.

Residual behavior and dietary risk assessment of albendazole as fungicide in citrus orchards

Albendazole is a broad-spectrum fungicide that shows great potential in controlling fungal diseases in citrus. To quantify the dissipation behavior, residue distribution, and dietary risk of albendazole in citrus, we developed an UPLC-MS/MS analysis protocol. The average recovery rate of albendazole in whole citrus and citrus pulp ranged from 74 to 105% with an RSD of 3 to 8%, and a limit of quantification of 0.01 mg kg^-1. The degradation half-lives were 2.8-3.0 and 5.7-17.0 days in whole citrus and citrus pulp, respectively, and the final residues of albendazole were <0.059 mg kg^-1 with a risk quotient of <1. This study not only demonstrates that the dietary risk of albendazole in citrus is negligible, but also provides empirical data to establish the maximum residual limit (MRL) for the safe application of albendazole in citrus orchards to meet the requirements for food safety as well as international trade.

Co-Treatment with Human Leukocyte Extract and Albendazole Stimulates Drug's Efficacy and Th1 Biased Immune Response in Mesocestoides vogae (Cestoda) Infection via Modulation of Transcription Factors, Macrophage Polarization, and Cytokine Profiles

The model flatworm Mesocestoides vogae proliferating stage of infection elicits immunosuppression in the host. It was used to investigate the effects of human leukocyte extract (DLE) alone and in combination with anthelmintic albendazole (ABZ) on the reduction in peritoneal infection, peritoneal exudate cells (PECs), their adherent counterparts, and peritoneal exudates after the termination of therapy. Balb/c mice were infected with the larvae of M. vogae. PECs and adherent macrophages were studied via flow cytometry, mRNA transcript levels, and immunofluorescence. The cytokine levels were measured via ELISA and larvae were counted. ABZ significantly reduced larval counts (581.2 ± 65, p < 0.001), but the highest reduction was observed after combined treatment with ABZ and DLE (389.2 ± 119, p < 0.001) in comparison with the control. Compared to an infected group, the proportions of CD11b+CD19- myeloid cells with suppressive ability decreased after albendazole (ABZ) in combination with DLE, which was the most effective in the elevation of B cells and CD11b+F4/80^mid/highMHCII^high macrophages/monocytes (22.2 ± 5.4%). Transcripts of the M2 macrophage markers (arginase 1, FIZZ-1, and Ym-1) were downregulated after DLE and combined therapy but not after ABZ, and the opposite trend was seen for iNOS. This contrasts with reduced ex vivo NO production by LPS-stimulated PECs from DLE and ABZ+DLE groups, where adherent macrophages/monocytes had elevated transcripts of the INF-γ receptor and STAT1 and reduced expression of STAT3, STAT6, and IL-10. Each therapy differentially modulated transcription profiles and concentrations of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12p40, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β cytokines. DLE strongly ameliorated ABZ-induced suppression of INF-γ and IL-12 and preserved downregulation for IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β. Epigenetic study on adherent macrophages from infected mice showed that ABZ, ABZ-sulfoxide, and DLE could interact with the mRNA of examined markers in a dose-dependent pattern. Co-administration of DLE with ABZ seemed to augment the drug's larvicidal effect via modulation of immunity. In comparison with ABZ, combined therapy was the most effective in alleviating parasite-induced Th2/Treg/STAT3/STA6 directed immunosuppression by stimulating the Th1 cytokines, M1 macrophage polarization, and activation of the IFNγ/STAT1 signaling pathway.

A new approach for microextraction of trace albendazole sulfoxide drug from the samples of human plasma and urine, and water by the molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles combined with HPLC

In this research study, a method of dispersive-micro-solid phase extraction (D-µ-SPE) combined with molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIP-NPs) with HPLC-UV was developed for the fast and selective detection of the trace amount of albendazole sulfoxide (ABZSO) in the biological samples. To investigate the effective factors on ABZSO microextraction by the method, central composite design (CCD) was utilized, and the optimum conditions for ABZSO microextraction were sample pH of 8.0, MIP-mass of 15 mg, sonication time of 12 min, and eluent (methanol) volume of 0.25 mL. Under the obtained optimal extraction conditions, the value for the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) was respectively showed to be 0.074 and 0.246 ng mL^-1. In addition, the calculated peak areas exhibited a linear relationship with the ABZSO concentration ranging from 0.4 to 4200 ng mL^-1. The analyses of the samples including human plasma and urine, and water were successfully performed by the usage of the D-µ-SPE method, which was a simple and sensitive technique and a suitable alternative for the analysis of ABZSO. In the analysis of ABZSO in various samples, the recoveries at various levels of ABZSO concentrations (50, 300, and 500 ng mL^-1) were in the range of 95.7-103.0 %, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs; n = 3) varied from 2.2 to 4.4%.

Albendazole Sulfoxide Plasma Levels and Efficacy of Antiparasitic Treatment in Patients With Parenchymal Neurocysticercosis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of albendazole therapy in patients with parenchymal neurocysticercosis (NCC) is suboptimal. Plasma levels of albendazole sulfoxide (ASOX), the active metabolite of albendazole, are highly variable among patients. We hypothesized that high ASOX plasma levels during albendazole therapy may be associated with an increased antiparasitic efficacy.

METHODS

ASOX plasma levels were measured at treatment day 7 in 118 patients with parenchymal NCC enrolled in a treatment trial. The relationships between increasing ASOX plasma levels with the proportion of cysts resolved and the proportion of patients with complete cyst resolution (evaluated by 6-month brain magnetic resonance) were assessed.

RESULTS

There was a trend toward a higher proportion of cysts resolved and a higher proportion of patients cured with increasing quartiles of ASOX plasma levels. In patients with 3 or more brain cysts, the regression analysis adjusted by the concomitant administration of praziquantel (PZQ) showed a 2-fold increase in the proportion of cysts resolved (risk ratio [RR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-3.89; P = .048) and 2.5-fold increase in the proportion of patients cured (RR, 2.45; 95% CI, .94-6.36; P = .067) when ASOX levels in the highest vs the lowest quartile were compared. No association was found in patients with 1-2 brain cysts.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest an association between high ASOX plasma levels and increased antiparasitic efficacy in patients with parenchymal NCC. Nonetheless, this association is also influenced by other factors including parasite burden and concomitant administration of PZQ. These findings may serve to individualize and/or adjust therapy schemes to avoid treatment failure.

Factors Associated With Cysticidal Treatment Response in Extraparenchymal Neurocysticercosis

Extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis is the most severe form of cysticercosis, and response to treatment is suboptimal. We sought to determine how demographic and clinical characteristics and albendazole sulfoxide concentrations were related to cysticidal treatment response. We conducted a longitudinal study of 31 participants with extraparenchymal vesicular parasites who received the same treatment, albendazole 30 mg/kg/day for 10 days with dexamethasone 0.4 mg/kg/day for 13 days, followed by a prednisone taper. Response to treatment was determined by parasite volumes before and 6 months after treatment. Eight participants (25.8%) had a complete treatment response, 16 (51.6%) had a treatment response > 50% but < 100%, and 7 (22.6%) had a treatment response < 50%. Complete treatment response was significantly associated with higher concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide (P = .032), younger age (P = .032), fewer cysts (P = .049) and lower pretreatment parasite volume (P = .037). Higher number of previous cysticidal treatment courses was associated with a noncomplete treatment response (P = .023). Although the large proportion of participants with less than a complete response emphasizes the need to develop more efficacious pharmacologic regimens, the association of albendazole sulfoxide concentrations with treatment response highlights the importance of optimizing existing therapeutic regimens. In addition, the association of treatment response with parasite volume emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis.

Simultaneous densitometric determination of anthelmintic drug albendazole and its metabolite albendazole sulfoxide by HPTLC in human plasma and pharmaceutical formulations

A new, simple, accurate and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of an anthelmintic drug, albendazole, and its active metabolite albendazole, sulfoxide. Planar chromatographic separation was performed on aluminum-backed layer of silica gel 60G F₂₅₄ using a mixture of toluene-acetonitrile-glacial acetic acid (7.0:2.9:0.1, v/v/v) as the mobile phase. For quantitation, the separated spots were scanned densitometrically at 225 nm. The retention factors (R_f ) obtained under the established conditions were 0.76 ± 0.01 and 0.50 ± 0.01 and the regression plots were linear (r²  ≥ 0.9997) in the concentration ranges 50-350 and 100-700 ng/band for albendazole and albendazole sulfoxide, respectively. The method was validated for linearity, specificity, accuracy (recovery) and precision, repeatability, stability and robustness. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation found were 9.84 and 29.81 ng/band for albendazole and 21.60 and 65.45 ng/band for albendazole sulfoxide, respectively. For plasma samples, solid-phase extraction of analytes yielded mean extraction recoveries of 87.59 and 87.13% for albendazole and albendazole sulfoxide, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the analysis of albendazole in pharmaceutical formulations with accuracy ≥99.32%.

Determination of albendazole and metabolites in silkworm Bombyx mori hemolymph by ultrafast liquid chromatography tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Albendazole is a broad-spectrum parasiticide with high effectiveness and low host toxicity. No method is currently available for measuring albendazole and its metabolites in silkworm hemolymph. This study describes a rapid, selective, sensitive, synchronous and reliable detection method for albendazole and its metabolites in silkworm hemolymph using ultrafast liquid chromatography tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS). The method is liquid-liquid extraction followed by UFLC separation and quantification in an MS/MS system with positive electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Precursor-to-product ion transitions were monitored at 266.100 to 234.100 for albendazole (ABZ), 282.200 to 208.100 for albendazole sulfoxide (ABZSO), 298.200 to 159.100 for albendazole sulfone (ABZSO₂) and 240.200 to 133.100 for albendazole amino sulfone (ABZSO₂-NH₂). Calibration curves had good linearities with R² of 0.9905–0.9972. Limits of quantitation (LOQs) were 1.32 ng/mL for ABZ, 16.67 ng/mL for ABZSO, 0.76 ng/mL for ABZSO₂ and 5.94 ng/mL for ABZSO₂-NH₂. Recoveries were 93.12%–103.83% for ABZ, 66.51%–108.51% for ABZSO, 96.85%–105.6% for ABZSO₂ and 96.46%–106.14% for ABZSO₂-NH₂, (RSDs <8%). Accuracy, precision and stability tests showed acceptable variation in quality control (QC) samples. This analytical method successfully determined albendazole and its metabolites in silkworm hemolymph in a pharmacokinetic study. The results of single-dose treatment suggested that the concentrations of ABZ, ABZSO and ABZSO₂ increased and then fell, while ABZSO₂-NH₂ level was low without obvious change. Different trends were observed for multi-dose treatment, with concentrations of ABZSO and ABZSO₂ rising over time.

Current bioanalytical methods for pharmacokinetic studies of drugs used in neglected tropical diseases

Neglected tropical diseases are conditions directly associated to poverty and affect millions of people in tropical areas. Considering the necessity of pharmacokinetic and therapeutic drug monitoring studies to assess the disposition of agents clinically employed in the treatment of these diseases, especially in the involved population, this article will overview the current bioanalytical methods developed in the last 10 years, particularly those fully validated and using standard techniques, such as chromatographic procedures combined or not with mass spectrometry. The characteristics of each assay reported will be summarized and critically discussed. Furthermore, emphasis will also be given to the pros and cons in order to highlight the application of each method, especially in routine laboratories.