In Vitro Assessment of the Cercaricidal Activity of Sida acuta Burm. F. and Sida rhombifolia Linn. (Malvaceae) Hydroethanolic Extracts, Cytotoxicity, and Phytochemical Studies

Abstract

Despite the global efforts, schistosomiasis remains a public health problem in several tropical and subtropical countries. One of the major challenges in the fight against schistosomiasis is the interruption of the parasite life cycle. Here, we evaluated the anticercarial, cytotoxicity, and phytochemical profiles of Sida acuta (HESa) and Sida rhombifolia (HESr) hydroethanolic extracts (Malvaceae). Schistosoma mansoni cercaria was collected from fifteen Biomphalaria pfeifferi-infected snails. Twenty-five cercariae were incubated in duplicate with different concentrations (31.25–1,000 μg/mL) of HESa or HESr. The cercaria viability was monitored at 30 min time intervals for 150 min, and the concentration-response curve of each plant extract was used to determine their respective lethal concentration 50 (LC50). Additionally, the cytotoxicity profile of each plant extract was evaluated on the Hepa 1–6 cell line at a concentration range of 15.625–1,000 µg/mL using the WST-8 assay method and its inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) was calculated. Moreover, phytochemical characterization of each plant extract was carried out by HPLC-MS. Both extracts exhibited cercaricidal activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. At 30 min time point, HESa (LC50 = 28.41 ± 3.5 µg/mL) was more effective than HESr (LC50 = 172.42 ± 26.16 µg/mL) in killing S. mansoni cercariae. Regarding the cytotoxicity effect of both extracts, the IC50 of HESa (IC50 = 109.67 µg/mL) was lower than that of HESr (IC50 = 888.79 µg/mL). The selectivity index was 3.86 and 5.15 for HESa and HESr, respectively. Fifteen compounds were identified from HESa and HESr after HPLC-MS analysis. N-Feruloyltyramine, a polyphenol, and thamnosmonin, a coumarin, were identified in both extracts. HESa and HESr displayed cercaricidal activity and were not toxic on Hepa 1–6 cell line. Based on the selectivity index of these extracts, S. rhombifolia extract could be more effective on S. mansoni cercariae than S. acuta extract. This study could provide baseline information for further investigations aiming to develop plant-based alternative drugs against S. mansoni.

Molluscicidal and Larvicidal Potency of N-Heterocylic Analogs against Biomophalaria alexandrina Snails and Schistosoma mansoni Larval Stages

“…It has been considered that alkaloids were responsible for the cytotoxic effects as they were approved for their activity against cercariae and miracidia. The present finding is in accordance with that reported by Membe Femoe et al [6] who studied the effect of the plants Sida acuta (HESa) and Sida rhombifolia (HESr) hydroethanolic extracts against Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. They reported that the cercaricidal potential of these ingredients as their phytochemicals belonging to alkaloids might damage the cercariae tegument and disturb its motor activity.…”

“…Coustau and Théron [3] define compatibility as a characteristic of a host-parasite system, where the parasite species have the ability to obtain transmission using the host species and establishing infection. Many investigations were conducted to study the effects of different molluscicides of plant origin at low concentrations on the biological aspects of the snails and the larval stages of S. mansoni [4][5][6][7].…”

“…study the effects of different molluscicides of plant origin at low concentrations on the biological aspects of the snails and the larval stages of S. mansoni [4][5][6][7].…”

Ethnobotanical Survey and Cercaricidal Activity Screening of Medicinal Plants Used for Schistosomiasis Treatment in Atwima-Nwabiagya District, Ashanti Region, Ghana

“…The cercaricidal activity demonstrated by the plants under study could be attributed to their secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids [ 58 ]. In previous studies, the total alkaloids, saponins, and essential oils from Nigella sativa [ 59 ], isoflavonoids from Millettia thonningii [ 60 ], and alkaloids from J. elliptica [ 57 ] demonstrated significant cercaricidal activity against S. mansoni cercariae.…”

Effects of Hydro-ethanolic Leaf Extract of Sida acuta on Female Albino Rats’ Reproductive Potential and Weight: An Interventional Study

“…It is a tropical weed of pastures, road sides and waste areas [5]. Research has revealed that juice from leaf of Sida acuta has schistosomicidal activity [6] and antihelminthic activity for intestinal worms [4]. The root inhibits embryo implantation or growth in the mice.…”