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Albendazole induces apoptosis in adults and microfilariae of Setaria cervi

A Nayak1, P Gayen, P Saini

  • 1Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal 731 235, India.

Experimental Parasitology
|March 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Albendazole (ABZ) induces apoptosis in the cattle filarial worm, Setaria cervi. This antifilarial agent causes dose-dependent impairment and death in microfilaria and adult worms by disrupting cellular structures.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Setaria cervi, a cattle filarial nematode, is a model for antifilarial drug screening.
  • Albendazole (ABZ), a benzimidazole, targets β-tubulin, disrupting the cytoskeleton and causing worm death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Albendazole-induced death in Setaria cervi.
  • To provide evidence for ABZ-induced apoptosis in both microfilaria (Mf) and adult S. cervi.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro exposure of S. cervi microfilaria and adults to increasing concentrations of Albendazole.
  • Assessment of worm motility and viability.
  • Analysis of cellular disturbances including DNA laddering and chromatin condensation.
  • TUNEL assay to detect DNA fragmentation.
  • Molecular studies to confirm apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Albendazole exposure caused dose-dependent impairment of motility and premature death in S. cervi.
  • Cellular disturbances observed included nucleosomal DNA laddering and chromatin condensation in adult worms.
  • Microfilaria showed TUNEL-reactive DNA, indicating apoptosis independent of nucleosomal DNA fragmentation.
  • Molecular data confirmed ABZ-induced apoptosis in both life stages.

Conclusions:

  • Albendazole induces apoptosis in Setaria cervi microfilaria and adult worms.
  • The antifilarial mechanism involves dose-dependent cellular disruption and apoptosis, potentially via distinct pathways in different life stages.

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