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Kumarasingha R, Young ND, Yeo TC, Lim DSL, Tu CL, Palombo EA, Shaw JM, Gasser RB, Boag PR. Transcriptional alterations in Caenorhabditis elegans following exposure to an anthelmintic fraction of the plant Picria fel-terrae Lour. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:181. [PMID: 31023350 PMCID: PMC6485125 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3429-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Natural compounds from plants are known to provide a source of anthelmintic molecules. In previous studies, we have shown that plant extracts from the plant Picria fel-terrae Lour. and particular fractions thereof have activity against the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, causing quite pronounced stress responses in this nematode. We have also shown that a fraction, designated Pf-fraction 5, derived from this plant has a substantial adverse effect on this worm; however, nothing is known about the molecular processes affected in the worm. In the present study, we explored this aspect. Results Key biological processes linked to upregulated genes (n = 214) included ‘response to endoplasmic reticulum stress’ and ‘lipid metabolism’, and processes representing downregulated genes (n = 357) included ‘DNA-conformation change’ and ‘cellular lipid metabolism’. Conclusions Exposure of C. elegans to Pf-fraction 5 induces significant changes in the transcriptome. Gene ontology analysis suggests that Pf-fraction 5 induces endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial stress, and the changes in gene expression are either a direct or indirect consequence of this. Further work is required to assess specific responses to sub-fractions of Pf-fraction 5 in time-course experiments in C. elegans, to define the chemical(s) with potent anthelmintic properties, to attempt to unravel their mode(s) of action and to assess their selectivity against nematodes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3429-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasika Kumarasingha
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Tiong-Chia Yeo
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, KM 20 Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, Locked Bag 3032, 93990, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Diana S L Lim
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, KM 20 Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, Locked Bag 3032, 93990, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Chu-Lee Tu
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, KM 20 Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, Locked Bag 3032, 93990, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Enzo A Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
| | - Jillian M Shaw
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
| | - Peter R Boag
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia. .,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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Kumarasingha R, Karpe AV, Preston S, Yeo TC, Lim DSL, Tu CL, Luu J, Simpson KJ, Shaw JM, Gasser RB, Beale DJ, Morrison PD, Palombo EA, Boag PR. Metabolic profiling and in vitro assessment of anthelmintic fractions of Picria fel-terrae Lour. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2016; 6:171-178. [PMID: 27639945 PMCID: PMC5030326 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Anthelmintic resistance is widespread in gastrointestinal nematode populations, such that there is a consistent need to search for new anthelmintics. However, the cost of screening for new compounds is high and has a very low success rate. Using the knowledge of traditional healers from Borneo Rainforests (Sarawak, Malaysia), we have previously shown that some traditional medicinal plants are a rich source of potential new anthelmintic drug candidates. In this study, Picria fel-terrae Lour. plant extract, which has previously shown promising anthelmintic activities, was fractionated via the use of a solid phase extraction cartridge and each isolated fraction was then tested on free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. We found that a single fraction was enriched for nematocidal activity, killing ≥90% of C. elegans adults and inhibiting the motility of exsheathed L3 of H. contortus, while having minimal cytotoxic activity in mammalian cell culture. Metabolic profiling and chemometric analysis of the effective fraction indicated medium chained fatty acids and phenolic acids were highly represented. Chemical fractionation of Picria fel-terrae Lour. plant extract. Anthelmintic activity against Caenorhabditis elegans and Haemonchus contortus. Metabolic profiling and chemometric analysis of active fraction. Active fraction has minimal mammalian cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasika Kumarasingha
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Avinash V Karpe
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, 3122, Victoria, Australia; Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, 4102, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sarah Preston
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tiong-Chia Yeo
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), KM 20 Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, Locked Bag No. 3032, 93990, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Diana S L Lim
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), KM 20 Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, Locked Bag No. 3032, 93990, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Chu-Lee Tu
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), KM 20 Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, Locked Bag No. 3032, 93990, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Jennii Luu
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, 3002, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kaylene J Simpson
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, 3002, Victoria, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jillian M Shaw
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, 3122, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, 4102, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul D Morrison
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, 3001, Victoria, Australia
| | - Enzo A Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, 3122, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter R Boag
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3800, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Victoria, Australia.
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Kumarasingha R, Preston S, Yeo TC, Lim DSL, Tu CL, Palombo EA, Shaw JM, Gasser RB, Boag PR. Anthelmintic activity of selected ethno-medicinal plant extracts on parasitic stages of Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:187. [PMID: 27036205 PMCID: PMC4818492 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1458-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasitic roundworms (nematodes) cause substantial morbidity and mortality in livestock animals globally, and considerable productivity losses to farmers. The control of these nematodes has relied largely on the use of a limited number of anthelmintics. However, resistance to many of these these anthelmintics is now widespread, and, therefore, there is a need to find new drugs to ensure sustained and effective treatment and control into the future. Methods Recently, we developed a screening assay to test natural, plant extracts with known inhibitory effects against the free-living worm Caenorhabditis elegans. Using this assay, we assessed here the effects of the extracts on motility and development of parasitic larval stages of Haemonchus contortus, one of the most important nematodes of small ruminants worldwide. Results The study showed that two of five extracts from Picria fel-terrae Lour. have a significant inhibitory effect (at concentrations of 3–5 mg/ml) on the motility and development of H. contortus larvae. Although the two extracts originated from the same plant, they displayed different levels of inhibition on motility and development, which might relate to the presence of various active constituents in these extracts, or the same constituents at different concentrations in distinct parts of the plant. Conclusions These results suggest that extracts from P. fel-terrae Lour. have promising anthelmintic activity and that more broadly, plant extracts are a potential rich source of anthelmintics to combat helminthic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasika Kumarasingha
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Sarah Preston
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Tiong-Chia Yeo
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), KM 20 Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, Locked Bag No. 3032, 93990, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Diana S L Lim
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), KM 20 Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, Locked Bag No. 3032, 93990, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Chu-Lee Tu
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), KM 20 Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, Locked Bag No. 3032, 93990, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Enzo A Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria, 3122, Australia
| | - Jillian M Shaw
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria, 3122, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Peter R Boag
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia. .,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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