Algal-Derived Halogenated Sesquiterpenes from Laurencia dendroidea as Lead Compounds in Schistosomiasis Environmental Control

Author(s)

dos Santos, Guilherme Senna ; Miyasato, Patricia Aoki ; Stein, Erika Mattos ; Colepicolo, Pio ; Wright, Anthony D. ; de Braganca Pereira, Carlos Alberto ; Falkenberg, Miriam ; Nakano, Eliana

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MARINE DRUGS; v. 20, n. 2, p. 10-pg., 2022-02-01.

Abstract

Schistosomiasis has been controlled for more than 40 years with a single drug, praziquantel, and only one molluscicide, niclosamide, raising concern of the possibility of the emergence of resistant strains. However, the molecular targets for both agents are thus far unknown. Consequently, the search for lead compounds from natural sources has been encouraged due to their diverse structure and function. Our search for natural compounds with potential use in schistosomiasis control led to the identification of an algal species, Laurencia dendroidea, whose extracts demonstrated significant activity toward both Schistosoma mansoni parasites and their intermediate host snails Biomphalaria glabrata. In the present study, three seaweed-derived halogenated sesquiterpenes, (-)-elatol, rogiolol, and obtusol are proposed as potential lead compounds for the development of anthelminthic drugs for the treatment of and pesticides for the environmental control of schistosomiasis. The three compounds were screened for their antischistosomal and molluscicidal activities. The screening revealed that rogiolol exhibits significant activity toward the survival of adult worms, and that all three compounds showed activity against S. mansoni cercariae and B. glabrata embryos. Biomonitored fractioning of L. dendroidea extracts indicated elatol as the most active compound toward cercariae larvae and snail embryos. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/07346-0 - Study of analogues based on marine natural products from species ofgenus Laurencia (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales) for the control of neglected tropical diseases
• Grantee: Erika Mattos Stein
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/06931-4 - Biodiversity of marine algae and metabolites of economical impact
• Grantee: Pio Colepicolo Neto
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/16223-7 - Designing and synthesis of bioactive compounds from marine algae against schistosomiasis
• Grantee: Eliana Nakano
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants