Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity and Composition of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seed Extracts-In Vitro and in Vivo Studies

Anthelmintic Activity of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. Against Ascaridia galli, a Pathogenic Nematode in Poultry: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

AIM OF THE STUDY

The growing resistance of helminth parasites to currently available commercial anthelmintic drugs, combined with apprehensions regarding detrimental chemical residues in livestock products, has sparked an interest in exploring medicinal plants as an alternative strategy for treating helminthiasis. As a result, this study was designed to investigate the anthelmintic activity of crude methanolic extracts (CME) of Saussurea costus root on Ascaridia.galli, a pathogenic nematode of poultry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro, the anthelmintic effect of Saussurea costus root was evaluated in comparison to commercial anthelmintic, levamisole on the adult nematode parasites, A.galli using worm motility inhibition (WMI) test. The CME of S.costus was also evaluated for in vivo anthelmintic activity in chickens experimentally infected with Ascaridia galli. For the in vivo study, one hundred-day-old chickens were orally infected with embryonated eggs of A. galli worms. The efficacy of the plant extract as an anthelmintic was assessed through two tests: faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test and worm count reduction (WCR) test. The study investigated three distinct doses of plant extract under in vivo setup: 500 mg kg-1 body weight (bw), 1000 mg kg-1 bw, and 2000 mg kg-1 bw.

RESULTS

In vitro, all the tested concentrations of S.costus (25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, and 100 mg/ml) showed a significant (P < 0.001) anthelmintic effects on live adult A. galli worms in terms of inhibition of worm motility at different hours post-treatment. At the highest concentration of the extract, we observed worm motility inhibition of 100% at 24 h post-exposure. On day 14 post-treatment, all birds were slaughtered, and adult A. galli worms were subsequently retrieved from their small intestines. Birds treated with CME extract of S. costus root exhibited a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in faecal egg count. However, the administration of the extract at the dosage of 500 mg kg-1bw to the birds did not reveal any significant (P > 0.05) differences in the worm count compared to the negative control group. The CME of S. costus at a dose of 2000 mg kg-1bw showed the highest anthelmintic activity by inducing 83.10% FECR and 76.47% WCR.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the root extract of S. costus has a promising anthelmintic activity on A. galli as demonstrated by the results of the present experiment.

Activities of pumpkin seed oil against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and the infective stages of Schistosoma mansoni with special emphasis on genotoxic and histopathological alterations

Schistosomiasis is a serious health issue in tropical regions, and natural compounds have gained popularity in medical science. This study investigated the potential effects of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) on Biomphalaria [B.] alexandrina snails (Ehrenberg, 1831), Schistosoma [S.] mansoni (Sambon, 1907) miracidium, and cercariae. The chemical composition of PSO was determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A bioassay was performed to evaluate the effects of PSO on snails, miracidia, and cercariae. The results showed no significant mortality of B. alexandrina snails after exposure to PSO, but it caused morphological changes in their hemocytes at 1.0 mg/ml for 24 hours. PSO exhibited larvicidal activity against miracidia after 2 hours of exposure at a LC50 of 618.4 ppm. A significant increase in the mortality rate of miracidia was observed in a dose- and time-dependent manner, reaching a 100% death rate after 10 minutes at LC90 and 15 minutes at LC50 concentration. PSO also showed effective cercaricidal activity after 2 hours of exposure at a LC50 of 290.5 ppm. Histological examination revealed multiple pathological changes in the digestive and hermaphrodite glands. The PSO had genotoxic effects on snails, which exhibited a significant increase [p≤0.05] in comet parameters compared to the control. The findings suggest that PSO has potential as a molluscicide, miracidicide, and cercaricide, making it a possible alternative to traditional molluscicides in controlling schistosomiasis.

Medicinal plants as a source of antiparasitics: an overview of experimental studies

Despite advances in modern human and veterinary medicine, gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections remain a significant health issue worldwide, mainly in developing countries. Increasing evidence of the multi-drug resistance of these parasites and the side effects of currently available synthetic drugs have led to increased research on alternative medicines to treat parasitic infections. The exploration of potential botanical antiparasitics, which are inexpensive and abundant, may be a promising alternative in this context. This study summarizes the in vitro/in vivo antiparasitic efficacy of different medicinal plants and their components against GI parasites. Published literature from 1990-2020 was retrieved from Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus. A total of 68 plant species belonging to 32 families have been evaluated as antiparasitic agents against GI parasites worldwide. The majority of studies (70%) were conducted in vitro. Most plants were from the Fabaceae family (53%, n = 18). Methanol (37%, n = 35) was the most used solvent. Leaf (22%, n = 16) was the most used plant part, followed by seed and rhizome (each 12%, n = 9). These studies suggest that herbal medicines hold a great scope for new drug discoveries against parasitic diseases and that the derivatives of these plants are useful structures for drug synthesis and bioactivity optimization.

The Effects of Coriandrum sativum L. and Cucurbita pepo L. against Gastrointestinal Parasites in Swine: An In Vivo Study

Parasitic diseases are responsible for substantial losses in reproduction and productivity in swine, creating a major impairment to efficient and profitable livestock management. The use of phytotherapeutic remedies has notably increased over the past decade due to their bioavailability, decreased toxicity, non-polluting nature, and to some extent due to their antiparasitic effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiparasitic potential of Cucurbita pepo L. and Coriandrum sativum L. against protozoa and nematodes found in swine. The samples were collected from weaners, fatteners, and sows and examined via flotation (Willis and McMaster), active sedimentation, Ziehl-Neelsen staining as modified by Henricksen, a modified Blagg method, and eggs/oocyst culture. The parasite species detected were Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum spp., Balantioides coli (syn. Balantidium coli), Eimeria spp., and Cryptosporidium spp., depending on age category. A dose of 500 mg/kg bw/day of C. pepo and 170 mg/kg bw/day of C. sativum powders, administered for ten consecutive days, demonstrated a pronounced anthelmintic (pumpkin) and antiprotozoal (coriander) effect against the aforementioned parasites. Future studies are required to ascertain the optimal dose that maximizes their antiparasitic effectiveness. The current study represents the first Romanian report on the in vivo antiparasitic activity of these two plants tested on digestive parasites in swine.

Ameliorating the antiparasitic activity of the multifaceted drug ivermectin through a polymer nanocapsule formulation

Ivermectin (IVM) is a potent antiparasitic widely used in human and veterinary medicine. However, the low oral bioavailability of IVM restricts its therapeutic potential in many parasitic infections, highlighting the need for novel formulation approaches. In this study, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocapsules containing IVM were successfully developed using the nanoprecipitation method. Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) was used as an oily core in the developed nanocapsules. Previously, PSO was chemically analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). The solubility of IVM in PSO was found to be 4,266.5 ± 38.6 μg/mL. In addition, the partition coefficient of IVM in PSO/water presented a logP of 2.44. A number of nanocapsule batches were produced by factorial design resulting in an optimized formulation. Negatively charged nanocapsules measuring around 400 nm demonstrated unimodal size distribution, and presented regular spherical morphology under transmission electron microscopy. High encapsulation efficiency (98-100%) was determined by HPLC. IVM-loaded capsules were found to be stable in nanosuspensions at 4°C and 25°C, with no significant variations in particle size observed over a period of 150 days. Nanoencapsulated IVM (0.3 mM) presented reduced toxicity to J774 macrophages and L929 fibroblasts compared to free IVM. Moreover, IVM-loaded nanocapsules also demonstrated enhanced in vitro anthelmintic activity against Strongyloides venezuelensis in comparison to free IVM. Collectively, the present findings demonstrate the promising potential of PCL-PSO nanocapsules to improve the antiparasitic effects exerted by IVM.

Assessment of Cucurbita spp. Peel Extracts as Potential Sources of Active Substances for Skin Care and Dermatology

By-products of cultivated plants are one of the major environmental concerns worldwide. Due to the high concentration of bioactive chemicals, such waste may be considered hazardous due to the interference with the plant growth, deterioration of the drinking water quality or toxic effects on sensitive marine organisms. Moreover, plant-derived by-products, with proper handling, may represent a low-cost source of bioactive compounds potentially important for pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, the influence of tyrosinase activity, in vitro sun protecting factor and cytotoxicity of 15 extracts from peels of five cultivars of Cucurbita maxima and C. moschata. The extracts were prepared using “green solvents” (water, 50% propylene glycol, and 20% ethanol) and ultrasound-assisted extraction. The performed analysis showed that the peel extracts from various cultivars differ significantly in respect to the phytochemical content and activity. The type of solvent also had a significant impact on the extract’s composition and bioactivity. Aqueous peel extracts contained the highest amounts of flavonoids, showed the greatest antioxidant potential and the most significant in vitro SPF values. In vitro studies showed that the analyzed peel extracts are not cytotoxic for human keratinocytes up to the concentration of 1000 µg/mL and thus might be considered as non-irritant for the skin. The study confirms the potential application of peel extracts from Cucurbita spp. cultivars in cosmetic products.

Selective Supercritical CO2 Extraction and Biocatalytic Valorization of Cucurbita pepo L. Industrial Residuals

The valorization of biomass residuals constitutes a key aspect of circular economy and thus a major challenge for the scientific community. Among industrial wastes, plant residuals could represent an attractive source of bioactive compounds. In this context, a residue from the industrial extraction of Cucurbita pepo L. seeds, whose oil is commercialized for the treatment of genito-urinary tract pathologies, has been selected. Supercritical CO₂ technology has been employed as a highly selective "green" methodology allowing the recovery of compounds without chemical degradation and limited operational costs. Free fatty acids have been collected in mild conditions while an enrichment in sterols has been selectively obtained from sc-CO₂ extracts by appropriate modulation of process parameters (supercritical fluid pressure and temperature), hence demonstrating the feasibility of the technique to target added-value compounds in a selective way. Obtained fatty acids were thus converted into the corresponding ethanol carboxamide derivatives by lipase-mediated biocatalyzed reactions, while the hydroxylated derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids were obtained by stereoselective hydration reaction under reductive conditions in the presence of a selected FADH₂-dependent oleate hydratase.

Evaluation of Anthelmintic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of 1,2,4-Triazole Derivatives

Parasitic diseases, caused by intestinal helminths, remain a very serious problem in both human and veterinary medicine. While searching for new nematicides we examined a series of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives 9–22, obtained during reactions of N³-substituted amidrazones with itaconic anhydride. Two groups of compounds, 9–16 and 17–22, differed in the position of the double bond on the methacrylic acid moiety. The toxicity of derivatives 9–22 and the anti-inflammatory activity of 12 and 19–22 were studied on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Antiproliferative activity of compounds 12 and 19–22 was tested cytometrically in PBMC cultures stimulated by phytohemagglutinin. The influence of derivatives 12 and 19–22 on the TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ production was determined by ELISA in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated PBMC cultures. Anthelmintic activity of compounds 10–22 was studied in the Rhabditis sp. nematodes model. Most compounds (11–22) proved to be non-toxic to human PBMC. Derivatives 19–22 showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the proliferation of lymphocytes. Moreover, compounds 12 and 19–22 significantly reduced the production of TNF-α and derivatives 19–21 decreased the level of INF-γ. The strongest anti-inflammatory activity was observed for compound 21. Compounds 12 and 14 demonstrated anthelmintic activity higher than albendazole and may become promising candidates for anthelmintic drugs.

Emerging Anthelmintic Resistance in Poultry: Can Ethnopharmacological Approaches Offer a Solution?

Limited pharmacological studies have been conducted on plant species used against poultry helminths. The objective of this study was to provide a basis for plant based anthelmintics as possible alternatives against poultry anthelmintic resistance. The study justified the need for alternative anthelmintics. The study places emphasis on the increasing anthelmintic resistance, mechanism of resistance, and preparational protocols for plant anthelmintics and their associated mechanism of action. Pharmaceutical studies on plants as alternative therapies for the control of helminth parasites have not been fully explored especially in several developing countries. Plants from a broad range of species produce a wide variety of compounds that are potential anthelmintics candidates. Important phenolic acids have been found in Brassica rapa L. and Terminalia avicenniodes Guill. and Perri that affect the cell signaling pathways and gene expression. Benzo (c) phenanthridine and isoquinoline alkaloids are neurotoxic to helminths. Steroidal saponins (polyphyllin D and dioscin) interact with helminthic mitochondrial activity, alter cell membrane permeability, vacuolation and membrane damage. Benzyl isothiocyanate glucosinolates interfere with DNA replication and protein expression, while isoflavones from Acacia oxyphylla cause helminth flaccid paralysis, inhibit energy generation, and affect calcium utilization. Condensed tannins have been shown to cause the death of nematodes and paralysis leading to expulsion from the gastro-intestinal tract. Flavonoids from Chenopodium album L and Mangifera indica L act through the action of phosphodiesterase and Ca2+-ATPase, and flavonoids and tannins have been shown to act synergistically and are complementary to praziquantel. Artemisinins from Artemisia cina O. Berg are known to disrupt mitochondrial ATP production. Terpenoids from Cucurbita moschata L disrupt neurotransmission leading to paralysis as well as disruption of egg hatching. Yeast particle encapsulated terpenes are effective for the control of albendazole-resistant helminths.

Microwave- and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Cucurbita pepo Seeds: A Comparison Study of Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic Profile, and In-Vitro Cells Effects

Nowadays there is a growing demand for nutraceuticals to prevent diseases related to redox imbalances, such as atherosclerosis and diabetes, being crucial to search for new matrixes rich in bioactive compounds. This work aims to characterize the value-added compounds extracted from Curcubita pepo seeds using green methodologies, namely microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), employing water as an extracting solvent for two ratios (condition 1: 1 mg/20 mL; condition 2: 2.5 mg/20 mL). The extract with the best antioxidant/antiradical activity in FRAP (71.09 μmol FSE/g DW) and DPPH (5.08 mg TE/g DW) assays was MAE condition 1, while MAE condition 2 exhibited the highest activity in the ABTS assay (13.29 mg AAE/g DW) and TPC (16.89 mg GAE/g DW). A remarkable scavenging capacity was observed, particularly for HOCl, with IC50 values ranging from 1.88–13.50 μg/mL. A total of 21 phenolic compounds were identified, being catechin (4.567–7.354 mg/g DW), caffeine (1.147–2.401 mg/g DW) and gallic acid (0.945–1.337 mg/g DW) predominant. No adverse effects were observed on Caco-2 viability after exposure to MAE extracts, while the other conditions led to a slight viability decrease in NSC-34. These results highlighted that the extract from MAE condition 2 is the most promising as a potential nutraceutical ingredient.

Cucurbitaceae COld Peeling Extracts (CCOPEs) Protect Plants From Root-Knot Nematode Infections Through Induced Resistance and Nematicidal Effects

With nematicides progressively being banned due to their environmental impact, an urgent need for novel and sustainable control strategies has arisen. Stimulation of plant immunity, a phenomenon referred to as "induced resistance" (IR), is a promising option. In this study, Cucurbitaceae COld Peeling Extracts (CCOPEs) were shown to protect rice (Oryza sativa) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) against the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne graminicola and Meloidogyne incognita, respectively. Focusing on CCOPE derived from peels of melon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis; mCOPE), we unveiled that this extract combines an IR-triggering capacity with direct nematicidal effects. Under lab conditions, the observed resistance was comparable to the protection obtained by commercially available IR stimuli or nematicides. Via mRNA sequencing and confirmatory biochemical assays, it was proven that mCOPE-IR in rice is associated with systemic effects on ethylene accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism and cell wall-related modifications. While no negative trade-offs were detected with respect to plant growth or plant susceptibility to necrotrophic pests or pathogens, additional infection experiments indicated that mCOPE may have a predominant activity toward biotrophs. In summary, the presented data illustrate a propitious potential for these extracts, which can be derived from agro-industrial waste streams.

Seeds of Cucurbita maxima and Carica papaya are effective for controlling monogeneans in the gills of Leporinus macrocephalus

This study was carried out to evaluate the anthelminthic efficacy of seeds of Cucurbita maxima and Carica papaya for controlling monogeneans in the gills of Leporinus macrocephalus, besides hepatosomatic and splenosomatic index and condition factor of host. The fish were fed with seeds of C. maxima or C. papaya for seven days, and these treatments did not cause any mortality among them. Jainus leporini, Urocleidoides paradoxus, Urocleidoides eremitus and Tereancistrum parvus were the monogeneans found, and their prevalence in fish fed with seeds of C. papaya was 100%, while in fish fed with C. maxima the prevalence was 42.8%. Fish fed with seeds of C. papaya showed decreased in intensity and abundance of monogeneans, while fish fed with seeds of C. maxima presented decreased in abundance. Feeding of L. macrocephalus with seeds of C. maxima or C. papaya had efficacy of 69.6 and 67.8%, respectively. The hepatosomatic index of fish fed with seeds of C. maxima or C. papaya was not affected by the treatments. However, the splenosomatic index and condition factor of fish fed with C. maxima seeds decreased. Seeds of C. maxima and C. papaya may be used for controlling monogeneans of L. macrocephalus in fish farming.

The effect of pumpkin seed cake and ground cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) supplementation on gastrointestinal nematode egg shedding in sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed additives (pumpkin seed cake and cloves) on the egg excretion of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in sheep. Thirty ewes naturally infected with GIN were randomly selected from a flock and assigned to the following groups of 10 animals each: clove group (received 1.8 g ground cloves/ewe/day, for 7 days), pumpkin seed cake group (200 g pumpkin seed cake/ewe/day, for 7 days) and control group. Before starting the study, on day 0, and 5 days after the 7-day supplementation, on day 12, the body condition and FAMACHA scores were assessed and individual faecal egg counts (FEC) were performed. The mean body condition and the FAMACHA scores did not change significantly between day 0 and 12 with the exception of a significantly deteriorated FAMACHA score in the clove group. The percentage reduction of FEC was 40.7% on day 12 in the clove group and 52.9% in the pumpkin seed cake group. In the control group, FEC increased by 8.7%. A coproculture of faecal samples from four of the most infected animals on day 0 revealed Trichostrongylus spp. larvae L3 in all four selected ewes, Ostertagia spp. and Cooperia spp. in three and Haemonchus contortus in one ewe. These results are promising and encourage further studies aimed to evaluate the possibility that these plant supplements could be a complementary method for parasite control, thus reducing the need for chemotherapy.

Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Applications of Cucurbita

Aim:

The present review aims to discuss the therapeutic potential and pharmaceutical applications of the Cucurbita plant.

Methods:

Various search engines such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, Google Patents, etc. were used for the literature survey.

Discussion:

During the literature survey, it was observed that different parts of the Cucurbita species have significant therapeutic effects against disease conditions. They have antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiulcer, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, etc., activities. Studies also showed that various pharmaceutical formulations have been prepared for the delivery of therapeutic active ingredients of cucurbits. A list of patents based on pharmaceutical formulations and therapeutic activity has also been included in the manuscript.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded from the findings that Cucurbita has significant therapeutic potential, clinical effects and can be used to treat various diseases.

Cucurbita pepo Seed Oil Induces Microsatellite Instability and Tegumental Damage to Schistosoma mansoni Immature and Adult Worms In vitro

Background

Schistosomiasis is a tropical parasitic disease treated exclusively with praziquantel (PZQ). However, PZQ has low efficacy against schistosomula and juveniles. In addition, the emergence of PZQ resistance has prompted the search for new drugs.

Methods

This study investigated the effects of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)-seed oil (PSO) on Schistosoma mansoni adults, juveniles, and newly formed schistosomula in vitro by exposing the parasites to increasing concentrations of PSO (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µl/mL) with variable incubation periods (24, 48, and 72 hours). Dose-response effects of PSO on mortality rate, worm activity, and tegumental changes were studied. Also, effect on DNA were assessed with microsatellite analysis.

Results

All tested stages of S. mansoni were susceptible to PSO, which was more effective than PZQ on juvenile worms and schistosomula. Juveniles and schistosomula S. mansoni were more sensitive to the antischistosomal activity of PSO than adult worms. PSO showed evident changes in the integuments of adults, juveniles, and schistosomula. These changes were more evident with increased concentrations. At the genomic level, PSO induced clear qualitative and quantitative changes in the microsatellite loci R95529 and SMD57 of S. mansoni adults and schistosomula. This microsatellite instability is being reported through the current study for S. mansoni in response to PSO for the first time.

Conclusion

This study suggested that PSO possesses effective antischistosomal activity against various stages of S. mansoni. Further investigations are needed to figure out the mechanism of action of PSO on this parasite.

Effect of Ginsenoside-Rh2 and Curcurbitacin-B on Cryptosporidium parvum in vitro

Ginsenoside-Rh2 and cucurbitacin-B (CuB) are secondary metabolites of Ginseng (Panax ginseng) and Cucurbitaceae plants respectively. We assessed the anticryptosporidial activity of these two functional compounds in a cell culture model of cryptosporidiosis. The highest concentration of each compound that was not toxic to the host cells was used to assess the activity against C. parvum during infection/invasion and growth in HCT-8 cell monolayers. Monolayers were infected with pre-excysted C. parvum oocysts. Infected monolayers were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h and 48 h in the presence of different concentrations of each test compound. A growth resumption assay was performed by incubating infected monolayers in the presence of compounds for 24 h followed by a second 24-h incubation in the absence of compound. To screen for invasion inhibiting activity, freshly excysted C. parvum sporozoites were pre-treated with different concentrations of compounds prior to adding them to the cell monolayers. Paromomycin, a known inhibitor of C. parvum, and DMSO were used as positive and negative control, respectively. The level of infection was initially assessed using an immunofluorescent assay and quantified by real-time PCR. Both compounds were found to strongly inhibit C. parvum intracellular development in a dose-dependent manner. IC₅₀ values of 25 μM for a 24 h development period and 5.52 μM after 48 h development were measured for Rh2, whereas for CuB an IC₅₀ value of 0.169 μg/ml and 0.118 μg/ml were obtained for the same incubation periods. CuB also effectively inhibited resumption of growth, an activity that was not observed with Rh2. CuB was more effective at inhibiting excystation and/or host cell invasion, indicating that this compound also targets extracellular stages of the parasite.

Tendril extract of Cucurbita moschata suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation in murine macrophages and human trophoblast cells

Inflammation is the root cause of many diseases that pose a serious threat to human health. Excessive inflammation can also result in preterm birth or miscarriage in pregnant women. Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne, CMD) is a well-known traditional health food and medicinal herb used in many countries to treat diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, cancer and other diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of hot water extract derived from the tendrils of C. moschata Duchesne (TCMD) on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in murine macrophages and human trophoblast cells. The TCMD treatment of LPS-primed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and human trophoblast cells attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by inflammasome activators such as ATP, nigericin, and monosodium urate (MSU). TCMD treatment suppressed IL-1β secretion in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting IL-6 secretion. In addition, TCMD inhibited NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis in BMDMs. TCMD also suppressed the release of mature IL-1β and activation of cleaved-caspase-1 via limited ASC oligomerization. Furthermore, TCMD significantly inhibited IL-1β secretion and pyroptotic cell death in human trophoblast cells. These results suggest that TCMD exhibits anti-inflammatory effects mediated via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation suggesting therapeutic potential against inflammatory diseases, preterm birth, and miscarriage.

Anthelmintics in the future: current trends in the discovery and development of new drugs against gastrointestinal nematodes

The control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs), the most abundant and serious parasites of livestock, has become difficult because of the limited number of available drugs and fast development of drug resistance. Thus, considerable efforts have been devoted to developing new anthelmintics that are efficient against nematodes, especially resistant species. Here, we summarize the most recent results using various approaches: target-based or high-throughput screening (HTS) of compound libraries; the synthesis of new derivatives or new combinations of current anthelmintics; the repurposing of drugs currently approved for other indications; and lastly, the identification of active plant products. We also evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each of these approaches.

Anthelmintic Potential of Cucurbita pepo Seeds on Hymenolepis nana

OBJECTIVE

The main drug used against Hymenolepis nana is praziquantel (PZQ), which causes side effects and toxicity. In contrast, natural extracts have limited side effects and are safer. Past researches have proved that pumpkin seeds are effective as natural antimicrobial and antiparasitic treatment. The present study investigates a natural alternative and less expensive treatment against H. nana using pumpkin seeds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Healthy female albino mice were divided into four groups: normal control, infected control with H. nana, infected and treated with PZQ, and lastly, the group infected and treated with pumpkin seeds' extract.

RESULTS

Pumpkin seeds aqueous extract showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the number and length of H. nana adult worms, number and viability of eggs in comparison to the infected control group and PZQ group. Pumpkin seed aqueous extract is proven to be an effective anthelmintic against H. nana.

CONCLUSION

We recommend pumpkin seed extract as a natural alternative, less expensive and safe therapy for H. nana. This is the first study in Saudi Arabia to investigate the therapeutic effect of pumpkin seeds' extract on H. nana.

Cucurbits Plants: A Key Emphasis to Its Pharmacological Potential

Cucurbita genus has received a renowned interest in the last years. This plant species, native to the Americas, has served worldwide folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal diseases and intestinal parasites, among other clinical conditions. These pharmacological effects have been increasingly correlated with their nutritional and phytochemical composition. Among those chemical constituents, carotenoids, tocopherols, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, sterols, fatty acids, and functional carbohydrates and polysaccharides are those occurring in higher abundance. However, more recently, a huge interest in a class of triterpenoids, cucurbitacins, has been stated, given its renowned biological attributes. In this sense, the present review aims to provide a detailed overview to the folk medicinal uses of Cucurbita plants, and even an in-depth insight on the latest advances with regards to its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer effects. A special emphasis was also given to its clinical effectiveness in humans, specifically in blood glucose levels control in diabetic patients and pharmacotherapeutic effects in low urinary tract diseases.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché) extract attenuate the adipogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells by controlling adipogenic gene expression

Prevention and management of obesity through dietary modification is one of the top way to trim down its consequences. Development of adipose tissue requires the differentiation of less specialized cells, such as human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), into adipocytes. Since food constituents play a major role in the cell differentiation and proliferation, we sought to determine if various extracts of Cucurbita ficifolia (C. ficifolia), could affect the adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs. Flow cytometry analysis with quantitative and qualitative Nile red, and quantitative PCR methods were employed to evaluate the C. ficifolia effect on hMSCs adipogenesis. Results revealed that, chloroform extract exhibits significant adipogenic inhibition than that of hexane and methanol extracts. Chloroform extract treated cells display the down-regulation of ADIPOQ, FABP4, PPARGC1A, CEBPB & LPL and up-regulation of ACACB & CEBPA genes. Further, various phytoconstituents present in the chloroform extract of C. ficifolia were analyzed though LC-MS and GC-MS. Our results indicates that chloroform extract of C. ficifolia might be used as a food supplement to control obesity and its related consequences.

seed oil and praziquantel combined treatment for Schistosoma mansoni infection in a mouse model

Despite the seriousness of schistosomiasis, its treatment depends only on praziquantel (PZQ), which has begun to lose its efficacy against the emergent Schistosoma mansoni-resistant strains. Therefore, the discovery of a novel schistosomicidal drug is an urgent priority. This study was designed to evaluate treatment with Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin) seed oil (PSO) alone and combined with PZQ against S. mansoni in experimentally infected mice. The study involved five groups: GI was the normal control; GII was the infected control; GIII was treated with an oral dose of PZQ of 500 mg/kg/day for two successive days, starting in the sixth week post infection; GIV was treated with an oral dose of PSO of 50 mg/kg/day for four weeks, starting in the fourth week post infection; and GV was treated with combined PSO–PZQ. Worm burden, tissue egg load and oogram pattern were estimated, and the ultrastructure alterations were examined. Histopathological examination of granuloma diameters, collagen deposition (Picro Sirius red stain), and angiogenesis (immunohistochemical expression of CD34+) was conducted and serum liver enzymes were measured to assess the liver condition. Moreover, the oxidative stress was evaluated by determining the amounts of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in liver homogenates. The results revealed significant changes in all the assessed parameters with PSO administration. However, PZQ was significantly more effective as an antiparasitic agent, whereas PSO was better in terms of fibrosis and oxidative stress. The most significant results were obtained in group V, which may be attributed to a synergy between PZQ and PSO, with antiparasitic, antioxidant and antifibrotic properties.

Therapeutic efficacy of Artemisia absinthium against Hymenolepis nana: in vitro and in vivo studies in comparison with the anthelmintic praziquantel

Hymenolepis nana is a common intestinal tapeworm that affects humans. Drugs are available for the treatment of this infection, including praziquantel (PZQ), nitazoxanide and niclosamide. Although the drug of choice is praziquantel, due to its high cure rates, indicators of the development of PZQ resistance by different parasites have begun to appear over recent decades. Therefore, this study was a trial to find an alternative to PZQ by assessing the activity of the crude aqueous extract of the medicinal herb Artemisia absinthium against H. nana. In vitro, the extract was used against adult worms at concentrations of 1 and 5 mg/ml, in comparison with 1 mg/ml of PZQ. The times of worm paralysis and death were determined. Ultrastructural morphological changes were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For the in vivo study, infected mice were divided into untreated, PZQ-treated and A. absinthium-treated groups (400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg). Pre- and post-treatment egg counts per gram of faeces (EPG) were performed; then, the reduction percentages of the EPG and worm burden were calculated. The best results were obtained with praziquantel. Artemisia absinthium induced worm paralysis, death and ultrastructural alterations, such as tegumental damage, lipid accumulation, and destruction of the nephridial canal and the intrauterine eggs, in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, significant reductions in the EPG and worm burden were recorded in A. absinthium-treated mice. Although the results obtained with A. absinthium were promising and comparable to PZQ, further studies using different extracts, active ingredients and concentrations against different parasites should be conducted.