In vitro studies and experiments with mice have shown that natural extracts are more effective than the only drugs available to combat this parasitic disease. Credits: Schistosomiasis under a microscope (above) and Neglected Disease Research Center Professor Hosue de Moraes student, Guarulhos University / Researcher Archive)
Brazilian red propolis, well known for its bactericidal and antifungal properties, has been found to act strongly against the parasites responsible for schistosomiasis, reducing the number of eggs and killing worms. I am.
In an experiment conducted at Universidade Guarulhos (UnG) in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with the support of FAPESP, 400 milligrams per kilogram of body weight was sufficient to reduce the parasite load of infected mice by more than 60%. It was red propolis.Flatworm Schistosoma mansoni.. It was equally effective against the immature and adult stages of the parasite. In vitro studies also showed that red propolis blocked reproduction and spawning (spawning).
“Propolis, especially red varieties, is well known for its action against bacteria and fungi. It protects beehives from invaders and expects some of the more than 20 substances to act against parasitic infectious pathogens. I was surprised by the UnG professor. Journal of Ethnopharmacology..
The results of all tests suggest that red propolis may be more effective in treating schistosomiasis than the only drug available for this purpose. Of course, before prescribing red propolis to patients, it should be tested in clinical trials in people with this disease.
Super worm
Schistosomiasis is the most common disease caused by helminths and affects about 300 million people worldwide. Despite its high prevalence in the tropics and subtropics, it has been treated with a single drug for about 40 years.
“Praziquantel is effective, but it has major limitations,” Moraes said. “In contrast to what was found in studies with red propolis, this drug does not fight infections caused by the immature stage of the parasite. It kills only adults, so patients have an adult growth cycle. You have to wait until you reach the stage. When you start treatment, the infection becomes chronic. “
Another limitation of Praziquantel is that some species became drug resistant after 40 years without alternative treatment. Researchers have isolated a schistosomiasis strain that is less sensitive to the drug.
A research project led by Moraes of UnG’s Neglected Disease Research Center (NPDN) aims at drug repositioning to address schistosomiasis. “This is basically the only way to find a new cure, as it is a neglected disease associated with poverty and lack of basic sanitation. Diversion is cheaper and faster than developing a new drug from scratch. “Moraes said.
The research group tested 73 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs sold in Brazil and elsewhere. They found that mefenamic acid, which is widely used to relieve pain during menstruation, has shown the most promising results to date, and five are effective against the disease.
In an article published in mid-2020 Trends in parasitology, Moraes and co-authors say that only a few drugs have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of parasitic diseases.
“Since the beginning of the century, the FDA has approved a total of 604 drugs, some of which are new and others are being reused,” Moraes said. “Only nine are anthelmintic drugs, and only two of these are anthelmintic drugs. In my view, herminciase is the most neglected disease.”
Why red propolis?
Moraes decided to study the effects of red propolis on this project in a study by Severino M. Allenker, a researcher at the University of Sao Paulo’s Luis de Keiros Agricultural University (ESALQ-), which is completely characterized by natural products I explained that it was because it was attached. USP), and Bruno Bueno-Silva from UnG’s Dental Division. Both are collaborators with NPDN.
“Brazilian red propolis has been the focus of attention in recent years due to its pharmacological potential and its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties,” he said. “Our study did not investigate the mechanism of red propolis in schistosomiasis, but indirectly analyzed the action of red propolis extract using a scanning electron microscope. For example, this natural product We checked to see if it was composed of several substances. It could pass through the propolis husk, which would increase the ability to reach one or more targets and kill the worm, but the targets Not identified. “
Moraes added that green and brown propolis are likely to have some effect on schistosomiasis, but analysis of the other two natural products requires specific research.
This finding may be applicable to other vermilions. “Schistosomiasis is a model for the study of human and animal infections caused by other flatworms, or flatworms such as the genus Tapeworm. Tenia“Therefore, this finding affects humans, cats and dogs and creates opportunities for research related to the treatment of other diseases treated with praziquantel,” he said.
Anti-cancer substances have been identified in Brazilian red propolis
For more information:
Marcos P. Silva et al, Brazilian red propolis, exhibits anthelmintic properties in vitro and reduces insect burden and spawning in mouse models with early or chronic Schistosoma mansoni infections. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2020). DOI: 10.1016 / j.jep.2020.113387
Quote: Red propolis used to treat schistosomiasis (December 7, 2020) obtained from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-red-propolis-schistosomiasis.html on December 7, 2020 I can do it.
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