Uncovering biological application of Brazilian green propolis: a phenotypic screening against Schistosoma mansoni

The chemotherapy of schistosomiasis remains centered in the use of praziquantel. However, there has been growing resistant parasites to this drug. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro schistosomicidal activity of the hexanes-dichloromethane 1:1 extract of Brazilian green propolis (Pex), as well as its major isolated compounds artepillin C ( 1 ), caffeic acid ( 2 ), coumaric acid ( 3 ) and drupanin ( 4 ) against Schistosoma mansoni . The Pex was active by displaying IC 50 value of 36.60 (26.26-51.13) µg.mL -1 at 72 h against adult worms of S. mansoni . The major isolated compounds were inactive with IC 50 values >100 µM. However, the combination of the isolated compounds (CM) in the same range found in the extract was active, with IC 50 value of 41.17 (39.89-42.46) µg.mL -1 at 72 h. Pex and CM induced alteration in the tegument of S. mansoni , and compound 2 caused alteration in egg's maturation. Pex displayed in vitro activity against adult worms and eggs viability of S. mansoni , which opens new perspectives to better understand the synergistic and/or additive effects promoted by both Pex extract and CM against schistosomiasis features.

Keywords: Artepillin C; Green propolis extract; Neglected diseases, Schistosomicidal.