Linalool, derived from Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl leaf extracts, possesses molluscicidal activity against Oncomelania hupensis and inhibits infection of Schistosoma japonicum

Abstract

BackgroundSchistosomiasis japonicum remains a considerable economic and public health concern in China, the Philippines and Indonesia. Currently available measures to control the unique intermediate host Oncomelania hupensis are frequently associated with severe side effects. Previous studies have demonstrated that linalool-rich extracts from various plants exhibited promising biological activities including cytotoxic, anti-microbial and anti-parasitic properties.MethodsWe identified the components of leaf extracts from Cinnamomum camphora by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and investigated molluscicidal and larvicidal effects of linalool against O. hupensis and Schistosoma japonicium. The ultrastructural alterations in gills, salivary gland, stomach and hepatopancreas of snails were observed under the light microscope and transmission electron microscope, and lesions to tegument of cercaria were examined under a light microscope and fluorescence microscope. We then evaluated the effects of linalool on skin penetration and migration of schistosomula and adult survival by measurement of worm burden and egg counts in Balb/C mice infected with linalool-treated cercariae.ResultsIn the present work, 44 components were identified from the leaf extracts of C. camphora, of which linalool was the most abundant constituent. Linalool exhibited the striking molluscicidal and larvicidal effects with LC50 = 0.25 mg/L for O. hupensis and LC50 = 0.07 mg/L for cercaria of S. japonicium. After exposure to linalool, damage to the gills and hepatopancreas of the snails, and to the tegument and body-tail joint of cercariae was apparent. In addition, linalool markedly reduced the recovered schistosomulum from mouse skin after challenge infection, and therefore decreased the worm burden in infected animals, but not fecundity of female adults of the parasite.ConclusionsOur findings indicated that linalool might be a novel chemotherapeutic agent against S. japonicium and the snail intermediate host.

Production and characterization of nanocapsules encapsulated linalool by ionic gelation method using chitosan as wall material

“…Due to promising biological activities including cytotoxic (Yang et al, 2014), anti-microbial (Bagamboula et al, 2004), insect-repellant properties (Beier et al, 2014), anti-inflammatory activity (Peana et al, 2002), antihyperglycemic (Weaver et al, 1991;More et al, 2014), antitumorigenic potential (Jana et al, 2014) and sedative effects, linalool as a natural plant-product has been extensively applied in various fields, such as perfumes, cosmetics, flavoring agents and medical science (Re et al, 2000). However, linalool is unstable, volatile and readily oxidizable.…”

Schistosomicidal Effects of the Essential Oils of Citrus limonia and Citrus reticulata Against Schistosoma mansoni

“…However, when tested alone, β ‐pinene did not display any significant in vitro schistosomicidal effect (not published data). On the other hand, linalool exhibited striking molluscicidal and larvicidal effects with LC 50 = 0.25 mg/l for Oncomelania hupensis and LC 50 = 0.07 mg/l for cercaria of Schistosoma japonicium , respectively . Taken together, our data indicated that minor CL‐EO and CR‐EO constituents might account for the schistosomicidal activity.…”

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils of Passiflora Edulis F. Flavicarpa Agroindustrial Waste

“…Linalool has been described in tropical fruits such as passion fruit and banana (Jordán et al, 2000). Even it has been reported as one of main compounds of essential oil of Passiflora incarnate L (Buchbauer and Jirovetz, 1992) and it has been informed as molluscicidal, larvicidal (Yang et al, 2014), analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant (Seol et al, 2016). Equally important α-terpineol has been described as one of the major flavor constituents of yellow passion fruit (Hui et al, 2010), this terpene is responsible of the floral aroma of passion fruit and it is considered as a marker volatile compound (Janzantti and Monteiro, 2014;Conde-Martínez et al, 2014).…”