Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Assessment of the anthelmintic effect of natural plant cysteine proteinases against the gastrointestinal nematode, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, in vitro

Stepek, Gillian; Buttle, David J.; Duce, I.R.; Lowe, Ann; Behnke, Jerzy M.

Authors

Gillian Stepek

David J. Buttle

I.R. Duce

Ann Lowe

Jerzy M. Behnke



Abstract

We examined the mechanism of action and compared the anthelmintic efficacy of cysteine proteinases from papaya, pineapple, fig, kiwi fruit and Egyptian milkweed in vitro using the rodent gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Within a 2 h incubation period, all the cysteine proteinases, with the exception of the kiwi fruit extract, caused marked damage to the cuticle of H. polygyrus adult male and female worms, reflected in the loss of surface cuticular layers. Efficacy was comparable for both sexes of worms, was dependent on the presence of cysteine and was completely inhibited by the cysteine proteinase inhibitor, E-64. LD50 values indicated that the purified proteinases were more efficacious than the proteinases in the crude latex, with purified ficin, papain, chymopapain, Egyptian milkweed latex extract and pineapple fruit extract, containing fruit bromelain, having the most potent effect. The mechanism of action of these plant enzymes (i.e. an attack on the protective cuticle of the worm) suggests that resistance would be slow to develop in the field. The efficacy and mode of action make plant cysteine proteinases potential candidates for a novel class of anthelmintics urgently required for the treatment of humans and domestic livestock.

Citation

Stepek, G., Buttle, D. J., Duce, I., Lowe, A., & Behnke, J. M. (2005). Assessment of the anthelmintic effect of natural plant cysteine proteinases against the gastrointestinal nematode, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, in vitro. Parasitology, 130(2), https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182004006225

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2005
Deposit Date Jul 10, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Parasitology
Print ISSN 0031-1820
Electronic ISSN 0031-1820
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 130
Issue 2
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182004006225
Keywords Plant cysteine proteinases, gastrointestinal nematodes, anthelmintic, Heligmosomoides polygyrus.
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1020668
Publisher URL http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=279002&fileId=S0031182004006225
Additional Information Copyright Cambridge University Press

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations