Luteolin targets cell growth and differentiation genes in Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces: A molecular approach...

Studies reported the role of specific genes in the growth and differentiation of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces (PSs), which may possibly be judged as promise targets for the discovery of new antiparasitic drugs. We aimed to assess the antiparasitic effects of Luteolin (LO) on E. granulosus PSs and its inhibitory effects on the expression of key genes involved in parasite growth and differentiation.

The antiparasitic activity of LO on PSs was assessed utilizing the viability assay. The impact of LO on the expression levels of Eg-fatty acid binding protein (fabp), Eg-14-3-3, Eg-α tubulin, and Eg-β tubulin in PSs was analyzed through quantitative real-time PCR. For cytotoxicity evaluation, two human cell lines normal (THLE-2) and cancer (HepG2) cells were employed in the MTT assay.

The present study demonstrated that LO has a strong ability to reduce the survival and cause death of E. granulosus PSs, and this effect is dependent on both the concentration and the duration of exposure. The IC50 value decreased and reached 82.2, 55.4, 44.1, 23.3, and 14.3 μM at 10, 20, 30, 60, and 120 min, respectively. Furthermore, LO markedly downregulated the expression of Eg-fabp, Eg-14-3-3, and tubulin genes, which are critical for parasite survival and development. The CC50 values for HepG2 and THLE-2 cells were calculated to be 53.4 and 119.6 μM, respectively. In addition, the selectivity index was estimated to be 2.23, indicating the ability of LO to preferentially target cancer cells over normal cells.

These findings suggest that luteolin exerts its antiparasitic effects, these effects are mediated, at least in part, through the downregulation of key genes such as Eg-14-3-3, Eg-fabp, and tubulin, which are essential for parasite growth and differentiation. However, further in vivo studies and pharmacological evaluations are required before clinical application can be considered.