Anti-inflammatory effects of diethylcarbamazine: A review

Unraveling the Dynamics of Human Filarial Infections: Immunological Responses, Host Manifestations, and Pathogen Biology

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), or elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease caused by filarial worms, primarily Wuchereria bancrofti, transmitted through mosquito bites. It often begins in childhood but may not show symptoms until later, leaving many individuals asymptomatic for long periods. LF disrupts the lymphatic system, causing severe swelling in the limbs and genitals, leading to deformities and disabilities. The World Health Organization estimates that around 51 million people are affected globally, with 36 million suffering from chronic conditions like lymphedema and hydrocele. In 2021, approximately 882.5 million people in 44 countries required preventive chemotherapy, making LF the second leading parasitic cause of disability, significantly impacting socioeconomic status. The immune response to filarial parasites is complex, involving both innate and adaptive immune cells. A key feature of LF immunology is the antigen-specific Th2 response, expansion of IL-10-producing CD4+ T cells, and a muted Th1 response. This T cell hypo-responsiveness is crucial for sustaining long-term infections with high parasite densities. While the correlates of protective immunity are not fully understood-due in part to a lack of suitable animal models-T cells, particularly CD4+ Th2 cells, and B cells, play essential roles in immune protection. Moreover, host immune responses contribute to the disease's pathological manifestations. A failure to induce T cell hypo-responsiveness can lead to exaggerated inflammatory conditions such as lymphedema, hydrocele, and elephantiasis. Filarial infections also induce bystander effects on various immune responses, impacting responses to other infectious agents. This intricate immune interplay offers valuable insights into the regulation of immune responses to chronic infections. This review explores recent immunological research on lymphatic filarial worms, highlighting their effects on both innate and adaptive immune responses in humans and the mechanisms underlying this neglected tropical disease.

Crosstalk between Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Ionizing Radiation in Healthy and Cancerous Cells

Radiotherapy (RT) is a unique modality in cancer treatment with no replacement in many cases and uses a tumoricidal dose of various ionizing radiation (IR) types to kill cancer cells. It causes oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production or the destruction of antioxidant systems. On the other hand, RT stimulates the immune system both directly and indirectly by releasing danger signals from stress-exposed and dying cells. Oxidative stress and inflammation are two reciprocal and closely related mechanisms, one induced and involved by the other. ROS regulates the intracellular signal transduction pathways, which participate in the activation and expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Reciprocally, inflammatory cells release ROS and immune system mediators during the inflammation process, which drive the induction of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress or inflammation-induced damages can result in cell death (CD) or survival mechanisms that may be destructive for normal cells or beneficial for cancerous cells. The present study has focused on the radioprotection of those agents with binary effects of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms IR-induced CD.

Diethylcarbamazine elicits Ca2+ signals through TRP-2 channels that are potentiated by emodepside in Brugia malayi muscles

Filarial nematode infections are a major health concern in several countries. Lymphatic filariasis is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp. affecting over 120 million people. Heavy infections can lead to elephantiasis, which has serious effects on individuals' lives. Although current anthelmintics are effective at killing microfilariae in the bloodstream, they have little to no effect against adult parasites found in the lymphatic system. The anthelmintic diethylcarbamazine is one of the central pillars of lymphatic filariasis control. Recent studies have reported that diethylcarbamazine can open transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in the muscles of adult female Brugia malayi, leading to contraction and paralysis. Diethylcarbamazine has synergistic effects in combination with emodepside on Brugia, inhibiting motility: emodepside is an anthelmintic that has effects on filarial nematodes and is under trial for the treatment of river blindness. Here, we have studied the effects of diethylcarbamazine on single Brugia muscle cells by measuring the change in Ca2+ fluorescence in the muscle using Ca2+-imaging techniques. Diethylcarbamazine interacts with the transient receptor potential channel, C classification (TRPC) ortholog receptor TRP-2 to promote Ca2+ entry into the Brugia muscle cells, which can activate Slopoke (SLO-1) Ca2+-activated K+ channels, the putative target of emodepside. A combination of diethylcarbamazine and emodepside leads to a bigger Ca2+ signal than when either compound is applied alone. Our study shows that diethylcarbamazine targets TRP channels to promote Ca2+ entry that is increased by emodepside activation of SLO-1 K+ channels.

Diethylcarbamazine elicits Ca 2+ signals through TRP-2 channels that are potentiated by emodepside in Brugia malayi muscles

Filarial nematode infections are a major health concern in several countries. Lymphatic filariasis is caused by Wucheria bancrofti and Brugia spp. affecting over 120 million people. Heavy infections can lead to elephantiasis having serious effects on individuals’ lives. Although current anthelmintics are effective at killing the microfilariae in the bloodstream, they have little to no effect against adult parasites found in the lymphatic system. The anthelmintic diethylcarbamazine is one of the central pillars of lymphatic filariasis control. Recent studies have reported that diethylcarbamazine can open Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels on the muscles of adult female Brugia malayi leading to contraction and paralysis. Diethylcarbamazine has synergistic effects in combination with emodepside on Brugia inhibiting motility: emodepside is an anthelmintic that has effects on filarial nematodes and is under trials for treatment of river blindness. Here we have studied the effects of diethylcarbamazine on single Brugia muscle cells by measuring the change in Ca 2+ fluorescence in the muscle using Ca 2+ -imaging techniques. Diethylcarbamazine interacts with the TRPC orthologue receptor TRP-2 to promote Ca 2+ entry into the Brugia muscle cells which can activate SLO-1 Ca 2+ activated K + channels, the putative target of emodepside. A combination of diethylcarbamazine and emodepside leads to a bigger Ca 2+ signal than when either compound is applied alone. Our study shows that diethylcarbamazine targets TRP channels to promote Ca 2+ entry that is increased by emodepside activation of SLO-1 channels.

Streptomyces sp. Strain PBR11, a Forest-Derived Soil Actinomycetia with Antimicrobial Potential

The Actinomycetia isolate PBR11 was isolated from the forest rhizosphere soil of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS), Assam, India. The isolate was identified as Streptomyces sp. with 92.91% sequence similarity to their closest type strain, Streptomyces atrovirens NRRL B-16357 DQ026672. The strain demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against 19 test pathogens, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates and dermatophytes. Phenol, 2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl), is the major chemical compound detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the ethyl acetate extract of PBR11 (EtAc-PBR11). The presence of the PKS type II gene (type II polyketide synthases) and chitinase gene suggested that it has been involved in the production of antimicrobial compounds. Metabolic profiling of the EtAc-PBR11 was performed by thin-layer chromatography and flash chromatography resulted in the extraction of two bioactive fractions, namely, PBR11Fr-1 and PBR11Fr-2. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of both the fractions demonstrated the presence of significant antimicrobial compounds, including ethambutol. This is the first report on the detection of antituberculosis drug in the bioactive fractions of Streptomyces sp. PBR11. EtAc-PBR11 and PBR11Fr-1 showed the lowest MIC values (>0.097 and >0.048 μg/mL, respectively) against Candida albicans MTCC 227, whereas they showed the highest MIC values (>0.390 and >0.195 μg/mL, respectively) against Escherichia coli ATCC BAA-2469. The effects of PBR11Fr-1 were investigated on the pathogens by using a scanning electron microscope. The results indicated major morphological alterations in the cytoplasmic membrane. PBR11Fr-1 exhibited low cytotoxicity on normal hepatocyte cell line (CC-1) and the percent cell viability started to decline as the concentration increased from 50 μg/mL (87.07% ± 3.22%) to 100 μg/mL (81.26% ± 2.99%). IMPORTANCE Novel antibiotic breakthroughs are urgently required to combat antimicrobial resistance. Actinomycetia are the principal producers of antibiotics. The present study demonstrated the broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential of an Actinomycetia strain Streptomyces sp. strain PBR11 isolated from the PWS of Assam, India, which represents diverse, poorly screened habitats for novel microorganisms. The strain displayed 92.4% sequence similarity with genes of the closest type strain, indicating that the strain may represent a novel taxon within the phylum Actinomycetota. The metabolomics studies of EtAc-PBR11 revealed structurally diverse antimicrobial agents, including the detection of the antituberculosis drug ethambutol, in the bioactive fraction of Streptomyces sp. PBR11 for the first time. The PBR11 strain also yielded positive results for the antibiotic synthesis gene and the chitinase gene, both of which are responsible for broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. This suggests that the untouched forest ecosystems have a tremendous potential to harbor potent actinomycetia for future drug discovery.

Efficacy and Safety of Diethylcarbamazine in Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: A Double Blind Randomised Controlled Trial

There are many evidences showing diethylcarbamazine as a potential drug for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. This study evaluated the effectiveness of diethylcarbamazine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and compared it with montelukast and levocetirizine. This parallel double-blind randomized clinical trial was done in allergic rhinitis patients. Seven hundred and twelve participants who met the inclusion criteria and provided informed written consent were randomized and divided into 2 equal groups. Diethylcarbamazine 300 mg/day orally in divided doses was given to group A, and montelukast 10 mg and levocetirizine 5 mg/day orally at night for 21 days was given to group B. Primary outcomes were the change in symptoms, absolute eosinophil count, serum total IgE, phadiatop and response in skin prick from baseline to 21 days and 3 months after treatment. Secondary outcome was to compare it with montelukast and levocetirizine. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 33 (10.6) years, with 374 (52.5%) males and 338 (47.5%) females. There was statistically significant improvement in all the parameters in both groups. Improvement was better with diethylcarbamazine compared to montelukast and levocetirizine and the effects were sustained for 3 months in diethylcarbamazine group. The findings suggest that diethylcarbamazine is effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. It gives better control and is cost-effective than montelukast and levocetirizine. Trial Registration: https://www.ctri.nic.in Identifier: CTRI/2020/03/024145 registered on 20-03-2020.

High concentrations of the anthelmintic diethylcarbamazine paralyze C. elegans independently of TRP-2

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) has been used to treat lymphatic filariasis in tropical countries since the 1940s. Its mode of action is still unclear, with several reports suggesting a host immune system-mediated mechanism. We previously demonstrated that DEC causes transient spastic paralysis in the filarial nematode Brugia malayi due to the activation of TRP-2. Here we show that DEC causes transient paralysis in C. elegans at high concentrations and is 200x less potent compared to its effect on B. malayi. C. elegans trp-2(sy691) mutants are like the wild-type and only paralyzed by high concentrations of DEC. Our results demonstrate that high concentrations of DEC cause paralysis of C. elegans independent of TRP-2.

Therapy and Prevention for Human Toxocariasis

For the last four decades, knowledge about human toxocariasis with regard to its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical spectrum, and imaging or laboratory diagnosis has substantially progressed. Knowledge about specific therapy with anthelmintics has lagged behind. To date, only four drugs are registered for human use, and their efficacy has rarely been assessed in prospective controlled trials. It is likely that the repurposing of potent anthelmintics from veterinary medicine will improve this situation. Due to its wide availability and a lack of major side effects during short regimens, albendazole has become the drug of choice. However, its efficacy should be more precisely assessed. The role of anthelmintics in the treatment of neurological or ocular toxocariasis remains to be clarified. Prophylactic measures in humans or companion animals are efficient and represent first-line treatments for the control of this zoonosis. Unfortunately, their implementation in areas or countries where toxocariasis epidemiology is driven by poverty is quite difficult or unrealistic.

Diethylcarbamazine as potential treatment of COVID-19 lung fibrosis

Diethylcarbamazine, the antiparasitic drug, also possesses anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. The anti-fibrotic activity of diethylcarbamazine makes it a potential candidate to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related pulmonary fibrosis. Experimental and clinical studies should assess this possible effect.

Population pharmacokinetics of diethylcarbamazine in patients with lymphatic filariasis and healthy individuals

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is a drug of choice to treat lymphatic filariasis (LF) either used alone or in combination as mass drug administration (MDA) preventive strategies. The objective of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model for DEC in subjects infected with lymphatic filariasis (LF) compared to healthy individuals, and to evaluate the effect of covariates on the volume of distribution (V/F) and oral clearance (CL/F) of DEC. This was an open-label cohort study of treatment naïve Wuchereria bancrofti-infected (n=32) and uninfected (n=24) adults residing in the Agboville district of Côte d'Ivoire. The population pharmacokinetic model for DEC was built using Phoenix NLME 8.0 software. The covariates included in the model building process were age, gender, bodyweight, infection status, creatinine clearance (CrCl), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. A total of 56 adults were enrolled in the study and a total of 728 samples were obtained over 168 hours. A one-compartment linear pharmacokinetic model with first-order absorption with an absorption lag-time (Tlag) best described the data. After determining the pharmacokinetics (PK) parameters of DEC, body weight and gender were found to be the significant covariates for DEC V/F. The final population pharmacokinetic model adequately described the pharmacokinetics of DEC in the studied population. Model-based simulation indicated that the body weight significantly impacted the exposure in both the male and female population. This analysis may further support the drug-drug interaction model development of DEC with different co-administered drugs/agents in disease control programs.

Is the anti-filarial drug diethylcarbamazine useful to treat COVID-19?

SARS-CoV-2 virus has resulted in a devastating pandemic of COVID-19. Exploring compounds that could offer a breakthrough in treatment is the need of the hour. Re-positioning cheap, freely available and safe drugs is a priority. The paper proposes evidence for the potential use of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) in the treatment of COVID-19. DEC has inhibitory effects on arachidonic acid metabolism to prostaglandins, little known anti-viral effects on animal retroviruses and demonstrated anti-inflammatory actions in animal models of lung inflammation indicating the need to explore this hypothesis further. We believe this is the first time DEC is being proposed to treat COVID-19.

Diethylcarbamazine activates TRP channels including TRP-2 in filaria, Brugia malayi

Diethylcarbamazine is an important classic drug used for prevention and treatment of lymphatic filariasis and loiasis, diseases caused by filarial nematodes. Despite many studies, its site of action has not been established. Until now, the consensus has been that diethylcarbamazine works by activating host immune systems, not by a direct action on the parasites. Here we show that low concentrations of diethylcarbamazine have direct and rapid (<30 s) temporary spastic paralyzing effects on the parasites that lasts around 4 h, which is produced by diethylcarbamazine opening TRP channels in muscle of Brugia malayi involving TRP-2 (TRPC-like channel subunits). GON-2 and CED-11, TRPM-like channel subunits, also contributed to diethylcarbamazine responses. Opening of these TRP channels produces contraction and subsequent activation of calcium-dependent SLO-1K channels. Recovery from the temporary paralysis is consistent with inactivation of TRP channels. Our observations elucidate mechanisms for the rapid onset and short-lasting therapeutic actions of diethylcarbamazine.

Radioprotective effect of diethylcarbamazine on radiation-induced acute lung injury and oxidative stress in mice

The present study was designed to evaluate the radioprotective effect of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) against oxidative stress and acute lung injury induced by total body radiation (TBI) in mice. For study the optimum dose for radiation protection of DEC, mice were administrated with three dose of DEC (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg), once daily for eight consecutive days. Animals were exposed whole body to 5 Gy X-radiation on the 9 day. The radioprotective potential of DEC in lung tissues was assessed using oxidative stress examinations at 24 h after TBI and histopathological assay also was analyzed one week after TBI. Results from biochemical analyses demonstrated increased malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels of lung tissues in only irradiated group. Histopathologic findings also showed an increase in the number of inflammatory cells and the acute lung injury in this group. DEC pretreatment significantly mitigated the oxidative stress biomarkers as well as histological damages in irradiated mice. The favorable radioprotective effect against lungs injury was observed at a dose of 10 mg/kg of DEC in mice as compared with two other doses (50 and 100 mg/kg). The data of this study showed that DEC at a dose of 10 mg/kg with having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can be used as a therapeutic candidate for protecting the lung from radiation-induced damage.

A new diethylcarbamazine formulation (NANO-DEC) as a therapeutic tool for hepatic fibrosis

The aim of the present study was to assess if the uninterrupted and prolonged administration of nanoparticles containing diethylcarbamazine (NANO-DEC) would cause liver, kidney and heart toxicity and then analyze for the first time its action in model of liver fibrosis. Thus, NANO-DEC was administered in C57BL/6 mice daily for 48 days, and at the end the blood was collected for biochemical analyzes. In the long-term administration assay, the evaluation of serological parameters (CK-MB, creatinine, ALT, AST and urea) allowed the conclusion that NANO-DEC prolonged administration did not cause hepatic, renal and cardiac damage. For fibrosis assays, C57BL/6 mice were divided into six groups: 1) control (Cont); 2) carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄); 3) CCl₄ + DEC 25 mg/kg; 4) CCl₄ + DEC 50 mg/kg; 5) CCl₄ + NANO-DEC 5 mg/kg and 6) CCl₄ + NANO-DEC 12.5 mg/kg. Carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic fibrosis observed through increased inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2, NO and iNOS) and fibrotic markers (TGF-β and TIMP-1), changes in the hepatic morphology, high presence of collagen fibers and elevated serum levels of AST, ALT and ALP. Treatment with NANO-DEC exhibited a superior anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects compared to the DEC traditional formulation, restoring liver morphology, reducing the content of collagen fibers and serological parameters, besides decreasing the expression of inflammatory and fibrotic markers. The present formulation of nanoencapsulated DEC is a well tolerated anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic drug and therefore could be a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of chronic liver disorders.

Characterization and evaluation of nanoencapsulated diethylcarbamazine in model of acute hepatic inflammation

Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is a potent anti-inflammatory drug. The aim of the present study was to characterize the nanoencapsulation of DEC and to evaluate its effectiveness in a model of inflammation for the first time. C57BL/6 mice were divided into six groups: 1) Control; 2) Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4); 3) DEC 25mg/kg+CCl4; 4) DEC 50mg/kg+CCl4; 5) DEC-NANO 05mg/kg+CCl4 and 6) DEC-NANO 12.5mg/kg+CCl4. Liver fragments were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and processed for Western blot, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Serum was also collected for biochemical measurements. Carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury, observed through increased inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, PGE2, COX-2 and iNOS), changes in liver morphology, and increased serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, TGO and TGP, LDL, as well as reduced HDL levels. Nanoparticles containing DEC were characterized by diameter, polydispersity index and zeta potential. Treatment with 12.5 nanoencapsulated DEC exhibited a superior anti-inflammatory action to the DEC traditional dose (50mg/kg) used in murine assays, restoring liver morphology, improving serological parameters and reducing the expression of inflammatory markers. The present formulation of nanoencapsulated DEC is therefore a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of inflammatory hepatic disorders, permitting the use of smaller doses and reducing treatment time, while maintaining high efficacy.

Diethylcarbamazine: A potential treatment drug for pulmonary hypertension?

The present study demonstrated the potential effects of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) on monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension. MCT solution (600mg/kg) was administered once per week, and 50mg/kg body weight of DEC for 28days. Three C57Bl/6 male mice groups (n=10) were studied: Control; MCT_28, and MCT₂₈/DEC. Echocardiography analysis was performed and lung tissues were collected for light microscopy (hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining), immunohistochemistry (αSMA, FADD, caspase 8, caspase 3, BAX, BCL2, cytochrome C and caspase 9) western blot (FADD, caspase 8, caspase 3, BAX, BCL2, cytochrome C and caspase 9) and qRt-PCR (COL-1α and αSMA). Echocardiography analysis demonstrated an increase in the pulmonary arterial blood flow gradient and velocity in the systole and RV area in the MCT28 group, while treatment with DEC resulted in a significant reduction in these parameters. Deposition of collagen fibers and αSMA staining around the pulmonary arteries was evident in the MCT28 group, while treatment with DEC reduced both. Western blot analysis revealed a decrease in BMPR2 in the MCT28 group, in contrast DEC treatment resulted in a significant increase in the level of BMPR2. DEC also significantly reduced the level of VEGF compared to the MCT28 group. Apoptosis extrinsic and intrinsic pathway markers were reduced in the MCT28 group. After treatment with DEC these levels returned to baseline. The results of this study indicate that DEC attenuates PH in an experimental monocrotaline-induced model by inhibiting a series of markers involved in cell proliferation/death.

Killing filarial nematode parasites: role of treatment options and host immune response

Background

There is compelling evidence that not only do anti-filarials significantly reduce larval forms, but that host immune responses also contribute to the clearance of filarial parasites; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.

Main text

Filarial infections caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia species (lymphatic filariasis) and Onchocerca volvulus (onchocerciasis) affect almost 200 million individuals worldwide and pose major public health challenges in endemic regions. Indeed, the collective disability-adjusted life years for both infections is 3.3 million. Infections with these thread-like nematodes are chronic and, although most individuals develop a regulated state, a portion develop severe forms of pathology. Mass drug administration (MDA) programmes on endemic populations focus on reducing prevalence of people with microfilariae, the worm's offspring in the blood, to less than 1 %. Although this has been successful in some areas, studies show that MDA will be required for longer than initially conceived.

Conclusion

This paper highlights the mode of action of the various antifilarial treatment strategies and role of host immune response.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0183-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Anthelmintics: The best way to predict the future is to create it

'The best way to predict the future is to create it.' When we look at drugs that are used to control parasites, we see that new knowledge has been created (discovered) about their modes of action. This knowledge will allow us to predict combinations of drugs which can be used together rationally to increase the spectrum of action and to slow the development of anthelmintic resistance. In this paper we comment on some recent observations of ours on the modes of action of emodepside, diethylcarbamazine and tribendimidine. Emodepside increases the activation of a SLO-1 K(+) current inhibiting movement, and diethylcarbamazine has a synergistic effect on the effect of emodepside on the SLO-1 K(+) current, increasing the size of the response. The combination may be considered for further testing for therapeutic use. Tribendimidine is a selective cholinergic nematode B-subtype nAChR agonist, producing muscle depolarization and contraction. It has different subtype selectivity to levamisole and may be effective in the presence of some types of levamisole resistance. The new information about the modes of action may aid the design of rational drug combinations designed to slow the development of resistance or increase the spectrum of action.

Ion channels and drug transporters as targets for anthelmintics

Infections with parasitic helminths such as schistosomes and soil-transmitted nematodes are hugely prevalent and responsible for a major portion of the global health and economic burdens associated with neglected tropical diseases. In addition, many of these parasites infect livestock and plants used in agriculture, resulting in further impoverishment. Treatment and control of these pathogens rely on anthelmintic drugs, which are few in number, and against which drug resistance can develop rapidly. The neuromuscular system of the parasite, and in particular, the ion channels and associated receptors underlying excitation and signaling, have proven to be outstanding targets for anthelmintics. This review will survey the different ion channels found in helminths, focusing on their unique characteristics and pharmacological sensitivities. It will also briefly review the literature on helminth multidrug efflux that may modulate parasite susceptibility to anthelmintics and may prove useful targets for new or repurposed agents that can enhance parasite drug susceptibility and perhaps overcome drug resistance.

Diethylcarbamazine reduces chronic inflammation and fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride- (CCl₄-) induced liver injury in mice

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of DEC on the CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6 mice. Chronic inflammation was induced by i.p. administration of CCl₄ 0.5 μL/g of body weight through two injections a week for 6 weeks. DEC (50 mg/kg) was administered by gavage for 12 days before finishing the CCl₄ induction. Histological analyses of the DEC-treated group exhibited reduced inflammatory process and prevented liver necrosis and fibrosis. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses of the DEC-treated group showed reduced COX-2, IL1β, MDA, TGF-β, and αSMA immunopositivity, besides exhibiting decreased IL1β, COX-2, NFκB, IFNγ, and TGFβ expressions in the western blot analysis. The DEC group enhanced significantly the IL-10 expression. The reduction of hepatic injury in the DEC-treated group was confirmed by the COX-2 and iNOS mRNA expression levels. Based on the results of the present study, DEC can be used as a potential anti-inflammatory drug for chronic hepatic inflammation.

Immunomodulatory effect of diethylcarbamazine in mice infected with Nocardia brasiliensis

We tested whether diethylcarbamazine (DEC) or ivermectin (IVM), both antiparasitic drugs with reported immunomodulatory properties, were able to affect the immune system to potentiate host defense mechanisms and protect against actinomycetoma in a mouse model. Male BALB/c mice of 10-12 weeks of age were injected with either Nocardia brasiliensis or saline solution. Recorded were the effects of a treatment by DEC (6 mg/kg per os daily for one week) or IVM (200 μg/kg subcutaneously on days 1 and 3) on (i) the development of mycetoma lesion, (ii) the expression of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) by phagocytes, (iii) the proliferation index of lymphocytes and (iv) antibody production of IgG and IgM. After an initial lesion in all mice, DEC inhibited a full development and progression of actinomycetoma resulting in a reduced lesion size (p < 0.001). IVM had no inhibitory effect on the development of mycetoma. Furthermore, DEC treatment was associated with a significant enhancement of ROI expression (p < 0.05) by polymorphonuclear neutrophils at day 3 after infection. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to N. brasiliensis antigens and concanavalin A in DEC-treated group was higher than in non-treated group at day 21 and 28 postinfection (p < 0.01). Significant changes in antibody response were not observed. By all parameters tested, DEC was superior to IVM regarding immunostimulatory potency. In conclusion, DEC expressed an in vivo influence on the immune status during the infection by N. brasiliensis leading to retrogression of the mycetoma and increasing cellular immune responses. Our findings may indicate a potential use of DEC as a putative adjuvant in infectious disease or vaccination.