FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
BMC veterinary research2025; 21(1); 178; doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04616-z

Multifaceted analysis of equine cystic echinococcosis: genotyping, immunopathology, and screening of repurposed drugs against E. equinus protoscolices.

Abstract: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease that causes significant economic losses in livestock and poses health risks to humans, necessitating improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This study investigates CE in donkeys using a multifaceted approach that includes molecular identification, gene expression analysis, serum biochemical profiling, histopathological and immunohistochemical examination, and in vitro drug efficacy evaluation. Molecular analysis of hydatid cyst protoscolices (HC-PSCs) from infected donkey livers and lungs revealed a high similarity to Echinococcus equinus (GenBank accession: PP407081). Additionally, gene expression analysis indicated significant increases (P < 0.0001) in interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) levels in lung and liver homogenates. Serum biochemical analysis showed elevated aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and globulin levels, alongside decreased albumin compared to non-infected controls. Histopathological examination revealed notable alterations in pulmonary and hepatic tissues associated with hydatid cyst infection. Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), indicating a robust inflammatory response. In vitro drug evaluations revealed that Paroxetine (at concentrations of 2.5, and 5 mg/mL) demonstrated the highest efficacy among repurposed drugs against HC-PSCs, resulting in the greatest cell mortality. Colmediten followed closely in effectiveness, whereas both Brufen and Ator exhibited minimal effects. This study identifies Paroxetine as a promising alternative treatment for hydatidosis and provides a framework for investigating other parasitic infections and novel therapies.
© 2025. The Author(s).
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-03-17 PubMed ID: 40098107PubMed Central: PMC11912610DOI: 10.1186/s12917-025-04616-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study explores cystic echinococcosis (CE) in donkeys by analyzing the parasite’s genotype, immune response, and biochemical impact, and evaluates the effectiveness of repurposed drugs against the parasite’s larvae (protoscolices).

Background and Purpose

  • Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus tapeworms, leading to considerable economic losses in livestock and health risks to humans.
  • Current diagnostic and treatment options for CE are limited, creating a need for improved strategies.
  • This study specifically targets CE in donkeys, which serve as intermediate hosts, aiming at a comprehensive investigation combining molecular techniques, immunological assessments, and drug efficacy screening.

Methods Employed

  • Genotyping: Molecular identification of hydatid cyst protoscolices (HC-PSCs) collected from donkey livers and lungs was performed using gene sequencing.
  • Gene Expression Analysis: Quantitative evaluation of immune-related genes including interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in lung and liver tissue homogenates.
  • Serum Biochemical Profiling: Measurement of liver-related biomarkers such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), globulin, and albumin to assess tissue damage and systemic effects.
  • Histopathology and Immunohistochemistry: Microscopic examination of tissue alterations and detection of immune/inflammatory markers nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4).
  • In Vitro Drug Screening: Testing repurposed drugs—Paroxetine, Colmediten, Brufen, and Atorvastatin—against E. equinus protoscolices to identify potential antiparasitic efficacy.

Key Findings

  • Genotyping Results: The protoscolices from infected donkeys showed high similarity to Echinococcus equinus (GenBank accession: PP407081), clarifying the species involved in the local CE cases.
  • Immune Response:
    • Significant upregulation of IL-1β and IFN-γ in lung and liver tissues (P < 0.0001), indicating strong pro-inflammatory and immune activation in response to infection.
  • Serum Biochemical Changes:
    • Increased AST, ALP, and globulin levels suggest liver and systemic inflammatory damage.
    • Decreased albumin reflects impaired liver function or nutritional status.
  • Histopathological Observations: Marked tissue alterations consistent with hydatid cyst infection, such as cyst development and surrounding inflammation in pulmonary and hepatic tissues.
  • Immunohistochemical Results:
    • Elevated expression of NF-κB, TNF-α, and TLR-4 reveals an intense inflammatory response, showing activation of innate immune pathways in infected tissues.
  • Drug Screening Outcomes:
    • Paroxetine, at 2.5 and 5 mg/mL, showed the highest efficacy in killing protoscolices in vitro, demonstrating strong potential as a repurposed antiparasitic agent.
    • Colmediten also exhibited significant effects, though less potent than Paroxetine.
    • Brufen (an anti-inflammatory drug) and Atorvastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug) showed minimal or negligible effects on protoscolices viability.

Conclusions and Implications

  • This study provides a detailed characterization of equine cystic echinococcosis caused by E. equinus, illuminating host immune responses and pathological impact.
  • The identification of Paroxetine as an effective drug candidate against the larval stages of E. equinus offers a new avenue for treatment development, potentially complementing or replacing existing therapies.
  • The multifaceted methodology combining molecular, biochemical, immunological, and pharmacological analyses offers a useful framework for future research on parasitic infections and drug repurposing.
  • These findings can contribute to better management of hydatidosis in livestock, potentially reducing economic losses and zoonotic transmission risk.

Cite This Article

APA
Taha NM, Salem MA, El-Saied MA, Mohammed FF, Kamel M, El-Bahy MM, Ramadan RM. (2025). Multifaceted analysis of equine cystic echinococcosis: genotyping, immunopathology, and screening of repurposed drugs against E. equinus protoscolices. BMC Vet Res, 21(1), 178. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04616-z

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Pages: 178
PII: 178

Researcher Affiliations

Taha, Noha Madbouly
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 11956, Egypt.
Salem, Mai A
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
El-Saied, Mohamed A
  • Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
Mohammed, Faten F
  • Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
  • Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Kamel, Mohamed
  • Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 11221, Egypt. m_salah@cu.edu.eg.
El-Bahy, Mohamed M
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
Ramadan, Reem M
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Echinococcosis / veterinary
  • Echinococcosis / drug therapy
  • Echinococcosis / parasitology
  • Echinococcosis / pathology
  • Echinococcus / genetics
  • Echinococcus / drug effects
  • Equidae / parasitology
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Drug Repositioning / veterinary
  • Genotype
  • Lung / parasitology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Cairo University approved this study, ensuring adherence to the “Guidelines for Experimental Animals” from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt, under the code VET CU 25122023829. All procedures were conducted in accordance with established ethical standards for animal research, including proper handling, care, and welfare considerations. The donkeys used in this study were obtained from the Giza National Zoo, with ownership transferred by private individuals, and participation was authorized through informed consent from the zoo. The decision to use donkeys as a model was based on their relevance as intermediate hosts for Echinococcus species and their availability in research settings. Euthanasia was performed following humane protocols using intravenous pentobarbital sodium to minimize pain and distress. This approach ensured ethical compliance while facilitating the study’s objectives of advancing knowledge on hydatid cyst infections and potential treatment strategies. All laboratory procedures strictly followed the ethical guidelines of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

References

This article includes 65 references
  1. Hajizadeh M, Jabbari A, Spotin A, Hejazian SS, Mikaeili Galeh T, Hassannia H. Modulatory effects of hydatid cyst fluid on a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Vet Sci 2024;11:34.
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11010034pmc: PMC10819194pubmed: 38250940google scholar: lookup
  2. Bhalla VP, Paul S, Klar E. Hydatid disease of the liver. Visc Med 2023;39:112–20.
    doi: 10.1159/000533807pmc: PMC10601525pubmed: 37899792google scholar: lookup
  3. Aboelhadid SM, El-Dakhly KM, Yanai T, Fukushi H, Hassanin KM. Molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus in Egyptian donkeys. Vet Parasitol 2013;193:292–6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.11.019pubmed: 23246076google scholar: lookup
  4. Ramadan RM, Khalifa MM, El-Akkad DM, Abdel-Wahab AM, El-Bahy MM. Animal hydatid cyst genotypes as a potential substitute for human hydatid cyst as a source of antigen for diagnosis of zoonotic hydatidosis. J Parasit Dis 2021;45:424–34.
    doi: 10.1007/s12639-020-01309-2pmc: PMC8254676pubmed: 34295041google scholar: lookup
  5. Tamarozzi F, Mariconti M, Neumayr A, Brunetti E. The intermediate host immune response in cystic echinococcosis. Parasite Immunol 2016;38:170–81.
    doi: 10.1111/pim.12301pubmed: 26683283google scholar: lookup
  6. Siracusano A, Delunardo F, Teggi A, Ortona E. Cystic echinococcosis: aspects of immune response, Immunopathogenesis and immune evasion from the human host. Endocrine’ Metabolic Immune Disorders-Drug Targets 2012;12:16–23.
    doi: 10.2174/187153012799279117pubmed: 22214328google scholar: lookup
  7. Díaz Á. Immunology of cystic echinococcosis (hydatid disease). Br Med Bull 2017;124:121–33.
    doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldx033pubmed: 29253150google scholar: lookup
  8. Siracusano A, Delunardo F, Teggi A, Ortona E. Host-parasite relationship in cystic echinococcosis: an evolving story. Clin Dev Immunol 2012;2012:639362.
    doi: 10.1155/2012/639362pmc: PMC3206507pubmed: 22110535google scholar: lookup
  9. Özdek U, Oğuz B, Kömüroğlu AU, Değer Y. Determination of the levels of serum oxidative indicator, cytokine and some biochemical parameters in horses naturally infected with theileria equi. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 2020;67:257–63.
    doi: 10.33988/auvfd.603305google scholar: lookup
  10. Akhan O. Percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts: to PAIR or not to PAIR. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2023;36:308–17.
    doi: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000956pubmed: 37548385google scholar: lookup
  11. Dehkordi AB, Sanei B, Yousefi M, Sharafi SM, Safarnezhad F, Jafari R, Darani HY. Albendazole and treatment of hydatid cyst, review of literature. Infect Disorders - Drug Targets 2018.
    doi: 10.2174/1871526518666180629134511pubmed: 29956639google scholar: lookup
  12. Taha NM, Youssef FS, Auda HM, El-Bahy MM, Ramadan RM. Efficacy of silver nanoparticles against Trichinella spiralis in mice and the role of multivitamin in alleviating its toxicity. Sci Rep 2024;14(1):5843.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-56337-2pmc: PMC10925591pubmed: 38462650google scholar: lookup
  13. Alvi MA, Khan S, Ali RMA, Qamar W, Saqib M, Faridi NY. Herbal medicines against hydatid disease: A systematic review (2000–2021). Life (Basel) 2022;12:676.
    pmc: PMC9145516pubmed: 35629345doi: 10.3390/life12050676google scholar: lookup
  14. Madbouly Taha N, Salah A, Yousof H-A, El-Sayed SH, Younis AI, Ismail Negm MS. Atorvastatin repurposing for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in experimentally immunosuppressed mice. Exp Parasitol 2017;181:57–69.
    doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.07.010pubmed: 28764965google scholar: lookup
  15. Simsek S, Roinioti E, Eroksuz H. First report of Echinococcus equinus in a Donkey in Turkey. Korean J Parasitol 2015;53:731–5.
    doi: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.6.731pmc: PMC4725237pubmed: 26797441google scholar: lookup
  16. Manterola C, Rivadeneira J, Pogue SD, Rojas C. Morphology of Echinococcus granulosus Protoscolex. Int J Morphology 2023;41:646–53.
    doi: 10.4067/s0717-95022023000200646google scholar: lookup
  17. El Akkad DMH, Ramadan RM, Auda HM, Abd El-Hafez YN, El-Bahy M, Abdel-Radi S. Improved Dot-ELISA assay using purified sheep coenurus cerebralis antigenic fractions for the diagnosis of zoonotic coenurosis. World’s Veterinary J 2022;237–49.
    doi: 10.54203/scil.2022.wvj30google scholar: lookup
  18. Wassermann M, Aschenborn O, Aschenborn J, Mackenstedt U, Romig T. A sylvatic lifecycle of Echinococcus equinus in the Etosha National park, Namibia. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2014;4:97–103.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2014.12.002pmc: PMC4356735pubmed: 25830103google scholar: lookup
  19. Ramadan RM, Mahdy OA, El-Saied MA, Mohammed FF, Salem MA. Novel insights into immune stress markers associated with myxosporeans gill infection in nile tilapia (molecular and immunohistochemical studies). PLoS ONE 2024;19(6):e0303702.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303702pmc: PMC11149867pubmed: 38833454google scholar: lookup
  20. Ramadan RM, Bakr AF, Fouad E, Mohammed FF, Abdel-Wahab AM, Abdel-Maogood SZ, El-Bahy MM, Salem MA. Novel insights into antioxidant status, gene expression, and immunohistochemistry in an animal model infected with camel-derived trypanosoma evansi and theileria annulata. Parasites Vectors 2024;17(1):474.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-024-06564-3pmc: PMC11575088pubmed: 39558410google scholar: lookup
  21. Ramadan RM, Taha NM, Auda HM, Elsamman EM, El-Bahy MM, Salem MA. Molecular and immunological studies on theileria equi and its vector in Egypt. Exp Appl Acarol 2024;93(2):439–58.
    doi: 10.1007/s10493-024-00933-4pmc: PMC11269342pubmed: 38967736google scholar: lookup
  22. Salem MA, Taha NM, El-Bahy MM, Ramadan RM. Phylogenetic position of the pigeon mite, ornithonyssus Sylviarum, with amplification of its Immunogenetic biomarkers in Egypt. Sci Rep 2024;14(1):22026.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-72433-9pmc: PMC11424627pubmed: 39322649google scholar: lookup
  23. Taha NM, Sabry MA, El-Bahy MM, Ramadan RM. Awareness of parasitic zoonotic diseases among pet owners in Cairo, Egypt. Veterinary Parasitology: Reg Stud Rep 2024;51:101025.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101025pubmed: 38772640google scholar: lookup
  24. Suvarna KS, Layton C, Bancroft JD. Bancroft’s theory and practice of histological techniques. .
  25. Hosseini MJ, Youssefi MR, Abouhosseini M. Comparison of the effect of Artemisia sieberi essential oil and albendazole drug on protoscolices of hydatid cyst under in vitro conditions. J Babol Univ Med Sci 2017;19:63–8.
  26. El-Bahy MM, Kamel NO, Auda HM, Ramadan RM. A smart economic way to control camel parasites and improve camel production in Egypt. Exp Parasitol 2023;255:108650.
    doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108650pubmed: 37914150google scholar: lookup
  27. Cheraghipour K, Beiranvand M, Zivdari M, Amiri S, Masoori L, Nourmohammadi M. In vitro potential effect of Pipper longum methanolic extract against protoscolices of hydatid cysts. Exp Parasitol 2021;221:108051.
    doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108051pubmed: 33301754google scholar: lookup
  28. Salama MM, Taher EE, El. Bahy MM. Molluscicidal and mosquitocidal activities of the essential oils of Thymus capitatus L. and Marrubium vulgare L.. Am J Drug Discovery Dev 2012;2:204–11.
    doi: 10.3923/ajdd.2012.204.211pubmed: 22983292google scholar: lookup
  29. Farhadi M, Haniloo A, Rostamizadeh K, Ahmadi N. In vitro evaluation of albendazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers on Echinococcus granulosus microcysts and their prophylactic efficacy on experimental secondary hydatidosis. Parasitol Res 2021;120:4049–60.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-021-07343-0pubmed: 34669034google scholar: lookup
  30. Chan YH. Biostatistics 103: qualitative data - tests of independence. Singap Med J 2003;44:498–503.
    pubmed: 15024452
  31. Taha NM, Zalat RS, Khaled E, Elmansory BM. Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of some essential oils in experimentally immunosuppressed mice infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. J Parasit Dis 2023;47:733–43.
    doi: 10.1007/s12639-023-01621-7pmc: PMC10667177pubmed: 38009149google scholar: lookup
  32. Ramadan RM, Salem MA, Mohamed HI, Orabi A, El-Bahy MM, Taha NM. Dermanyssus gallinae as a pathogen vector: phylogenetic analysis and associated health risks in pigeons. Veterinary Parasitology: Reg Stud Rep 2025;57:101198.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2025.101198pubmed: 39855842google scholar: lookup
  33. Salem MA, Mahdy OA, Ramadan RM. Ultra-structure, genetic characterization and immunological approach of fish borne zoonotic trematodes (Family: Heterophyidae) of a redbelly tilapia. Res Vet Sci 2024;166:105097.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105097pubmed: 38007971google scholar: lookup
  34. Sadr S, Lotfalizadeh N, Abbasi AM, Soleymani N, Hajjafari A, Roohbaksh Amooli Moghadam E, Borji H. Challenges and prospective of enhancing hydatid cyst chemotherapy by nanotechnology and the future of nanobiosensors for diagnosis. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023;8:494.
    doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed8110494pmc: PMC10674171pubmed: 37999613google scholar: lookup
  35. Varcasia A, Garippa G, Pipia AP, Scala A, Brianti E, Giannetto S. Cystic echinococcosis in equids in Italy. Parasitol Res 2008;102:815–8.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0862-7pubmed: 18180956google scholar: lookup
  36. Kinkar L, Laurimäe T, Sharbatkhori M, Mirhendi H, Kia EB, Ponce-Gordo F. New mitogenome and nuclear evidence on the phylogeny and taxonomy of the highly zoonotic tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto. Infect Genet Evol 2017;52:52–8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.04.023pubmed: 28456662google scholar: lookup
  37. Alvarez Rojas CA, Kronenberg PA, Aitbaev S, Omorov RA, Abdykerimov KK, Paternoster G. Genetic diversity of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus sensu Lato in Kyrgyzstan: the A2 haplotype of E. multilocularis is the predominant variant infecting humans. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020;14:e0008242–0008242.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008242pmc: PMC7219741pubmed: 32401754google scholar: lookup
  38. Wang Y, Zhang J, Wang X, Ahmed H, Shen Y, Cao J. Molecular epidemiology and the control and prevention of cystic echinococcosis in China: what is known from current research. Zoonoses 2023.
    doi: 10.15212/zoonoses-2023-0009google scholar: lookup
  39. de Biase D, Prisco F, Pepe P, Bosco A, Piegari G, d’Aquino I. Evaluation of the local immune response to hydatid cysts in sheep liver. Vet Sci 2023;10:315.
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci10050315pmc: PMC10220960pubmed: 37235398google scholar: lookup
  40. Mondragón-De-La-Peña C, Ramos-Solís S, Barbosa-Cisneros O, Rodríguez-Padilla C, Tavizón-García P, Herrera-Esparza R. down regulates the hepatic expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFα in BALB/c mice. Parasite 2002;9:351–6.
    pubmed: 12514950doi: 10.1051/parasite/2002094351google scholar: lookup
  41. Amri M, Aissa SA, Belguendouz H, Mezioug D, Touil-Boukoffa C. Antihydatic action of IFN-γIs dependent on the nitric oxide pathway. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2007;27:781–8.
    pubmed: 17892399doi: 10.1089/jir.2007.0003google scholar: lookup
  42. TIAN G, CHEN L, YU B, HUANG X, WANG J, BAHETI K. Association of IL-10 and TNF-α gene polymorphisms with hepatic echinococcus granulosus infection and necrosis. J Chin Physician 2022:1504–8.
  43. Zaeemi M, Razmi GR, Mohammadi GR, Abedi V, Yaghfoori S. Evaluation of serum biochemical profile in Turkoman horses and donkeys infected with Theileria equi. 2016.
  44. Bozukluhan K, Merhan O, Büyük F, Çelebi Ö, Gökçe G. Determination of some acute phase proteins level in cattle with brucellosis. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 2016;63:13–6.
  45. Ramadan RM, Wahby AM, Bakry NM, Auda HM, Mohammed FF, El-Bahy MM, Hekal SHA. Targeted pre-partum strategies to suppress Toxocara vitulorum hypobiotic larvae: reducing transmission to calves and genotypic insights into Buffalo infections. Veterinary World 2025;18(2):329–40.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.329-340google scholar: lookup
  46. Hassanzadeh E, Khademvatan S, Jafari B, Jafari A, Yousefi E. In vitro and in Silico scolicidal effect of sanguinarine on the hydatid cyst Protoscoleces.. PLoS ONE 2023;18:e0290947–0290947.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290947pmc: PMC10599545pubmed: 37878663google scholar: lookup
  47. Albani CM, Borgo J, Fabbri J, Pensel P, Paladini A, Beer MF. Antiparasitic effects of Asteraceae species extracts on Echinococcus granulosus S.s.. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2022;2022:6371849.
    doi: 10.1155/2022/6371849pmc: PMC9526667pubmed: 36193140google scholar: lookup
  48. Kowalska M, Nowaczyk J, Fijałkowski Ł, Nowaczyk A. Paroxetine-Overview of the molecular mechanisms of action.. Int J Mol Sci 2021;22:1662.
    doi: 10.3390/ijms22041662pmc: PMC7914979pubmed: 33562229google scholar: lookup
  49. Weeks JC, Roberts WM, Leasure C, Suzuki BM, Robinson KJ, Currey H. Sertraline, Paroxetine, and chlorpromazine are rapidly acting anthelmintic drugs capable of clinical repurposing.. Sci Rep 2018;8:975.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18457-wpmc: PMC5772060pubmed: 29343694google scholar: lookup
  50. Herz M, Brehm K. Serotonin stimulates Echinococcus multilocularis larval development.. Parasit Vectors 2021;14:14.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04533-0pmc: PMC7789706pubmed: 33407815google scholar: lookup
  51. Camicia F, Vaca HR, Guarnaschelli I, Koziol U, Mortensen OV, Fontana ACK. Molecular characterization of the serotonergic transporter from the cestode Echinococcus granulosus: Pharmacology and potential role in the nervous system.. Parasitol Res 2022;121:1329–43.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-022-07466-ypmc: PMC9487190pubmed: 35169884google scholar: lookup
  52. Köhler P, Bachmann R. Intestinal tubulin as possible target for the chemotherapeutic action of Mebendazole in parasitic nematodes.. Mol Biochem Parasitol 1981;4:325–36.
    doi: 10.1016/0166-6851(81)90064-5pubmed: 7335116google scholar: lookup
  53. Ranjan P, Kumar SP, Kari V, Jha PC. Exploration of interaction zones of β-tubulin Colchicine binding domain of helminths and binding mechanism of anthelmintics.. Comput Biol Chem 2017;68:78–91.
    doi: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2017.02.008pubmed: 28259774google scholar: lookup
  54. Rehan. design synthesis and biological evaluation of novel targeted anthelmintic agents. 2020.
  55. Hafeez MA, Sattar A, Aslam F, Imran M, Ashraf K, Zia R, Mehdi MM. Effects of ibuprofen and clopidol alone and in combination on experimentally induced coccidiosis in broiler chickens.. Pakistan J Zool 2022.
    doi: 10.17582/journal.pjz/20180620100651google scholar: lookup
  56. Hafeez MA, Sattar A, Ashraf K, Mehdi M, Rafique A, Mahmood MS. Effect of ibuprofen alone and inconjugation with vitamin E and selenium on experimentally induced coccidiosis in Broliers.. JAPS 2020;30.
  57. Rojo-Arreola L, Long T, Asarnow D, Suzuki BM, Singh R, Caffrey CR. Chemical and genetic validation of the Statin drug target to treat the helminth disease, schistosomiasis.. PLoS ONE 2014;9:e87594–87594.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087594pmc: PMC3906178pubmed: 24489942google scholar: lookup
  58. Canavese M, Crisanti A. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Lovastatin suppress the inflammatory response to plasmodium Berghei infection and protect against experimental cerebral malaria.. Pathog Glob Health 2015;109:266–74.
    doi: 10.1179/2047773215Y.0000000021pmc: PMC4727581pubmed: 26392164google scholar: lookup
  59. Mota S, Bensalel J, Park DH, Gonzalez S, Rodriguez A, Gallego-Delgado J. Treatment reducing endothelial activation protects against experimental cerebral malaria.. Pathogens 2022;11:643.
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens11060643pmc: PMC9229727pubmed: 35745497google scholar: lookup
  60. Nishi L, Santana PL, Evangelista FF, Beletini LF, Souza AH, Mantelo FM. Rosuvastatin reduced brain parasite burden in a chronic toxoplasmosis in vivo model and influenced the neuropathological pattern of ME-49 strain.. Parasitology 2020;147:303–9.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182019001604pmc: PMC10317618pubmed: 31727196google scholar: lookup
  61. Sanfelice RAda, Da Silva SS, Bosqui LR, Machado LF, Miranda-Sapla MM, Panagio LA. Pravastatin and Simvastatin pretreatment in combination with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine reduces infection process of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites (RH Strain) in HeLa cells. Acta Parasitol 2019;64:612–6.
    doi: 10.2478/s11686-019-00076-2pubmed: 31286354google scholar: lookup
  62. Kumar GA, Roy S, Jafurulla M, Mandal C, Chattopadhyay A. Statin-induced chronic cholesterol depletion inhibits leishmania donovani infection: relevance of optimum host membrane cholesterol. Biochim Et Biophys Acta (BBA) - Biomembr 2016;1858:2088–96.
    doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.06.010pubmed: 27319380google scholar: lookup
  63. Parihar SP, Hartley M-A, Hurdayal R, Guler R, Brombacher F. Topical Simvastatin as Host-Directed therapy against severity of cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice. Sci Rep 2016;6:33458.
    doi: 10.1038/srep33458pmc: PMC5025842pubmed: 27632901google scholar: lookup
  64. Burgess V, Maya JD. Statin and aspirin use in parasitic infections as a potential therapeutic strategy: A narrative review. Rev Argent Microbiol 2023;55:278–88.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ram.2023.01.006pubmed: 37019801google scholar: lookup
  65. Caglar R, Yuzbasioglu MF, Bulbuloglu E, Gul M, Ezberci F, Kale IT. In vitro effectiveness of different chemical agents on scolices of hydatid cyst. J Invest Surg 2008;21:71–5.
    doi: 10.1080/08941930701883640pubmed: 18340623google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Abdel-Radi S, Salem MA, Youssef FS, Kamel MS, El-Bahy MM, Ramadan RM. Acaricidal activity of Astragalus polysaccharides nanoemulsion against camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii.. Exp Appl Acarol 2025 Dec 2;95(4):63.
    doi: 10.1007/s10493-025-01085-9pubmed: 41329442google scholar: lookup
  2. Salem MA, Mahdy OA, El-Saied MA, Kamel MS, Mohammed FF, Ramadan RM. Molecular and pathological insights into gene expression and oxidative stress in Clinostomum complanatum and Euclinostomum heterostomum.. Sci Rep 2025 Oct 28;15(1):37586.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-16469-5pubmed: 41152306google scholar: lookup
  3. Zhuang H, Yao H. Pharmacological effects, molecular mechanisms, and pharmacokinetics of benzoylaconine: a systematic review.. Front Pharmacol 2025;16:1571153.
    doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1571153pubmed: 40894202google scholar: lookup
  4. Salem MA, El-Gameel SM, Kamel MS, Elsamman EM, Ramadan RM. Innovative diagnostic strategies for equine habronemiasis: exploring molecular identification, gene expression, and oxidative stress markers.. Parasit Vectors 2025 Aug 2;18(1):325.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-06970-1pubmed: 40753398google scholar: lookup
  5. Ramadan RM, Khalifa MM, Youssef FS, Fouad EA, Kamel M, El-Bahy MM, Taha NM. A paradigm shift in trichinellosis management: curcumin-olive oil nanocomposite's multi-faceted therapeutic approach.. BMC Vet Res 2025 May 22;21(1):370.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04821-wpubmed: 40405173google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,928 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.