Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Triggering Cell Stress and Death Using Conventional UV Laser Confocal Microscopy
10:18

Triggering Cell Stress and Death Using Conventional UV Laser Confocal Microscopy

Published on: February 3, 2017

Programmed cell death in Naegleria fowleri induced by frutescinol acetate, a polyacetylene from Argyranthemum

Suhib Muhsen Hasan Aldalaeen1, Javier Chao-Pellicer2, Ines Sifaoui2

  • 1Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, 38296 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Phytomedicine : International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology
|June 3, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A novel compound, frutescinol acetate, from Argyranthemum frutescens shows potent activity against Naegleria fowleri, the cause of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This natural compound effectively kills both trophozoite and cyst forms, offering a promising new avenue for PAM treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Natural Product Chemistry
  • Parasitology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a devastating infection caused by Naegleria fowleri with limited treatment options.
  • Investigating natural compounds offers a promising strategy for developing new anti-PAM therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize a bioactive metabolite from Argyranthemum frutescens with amoebicidal activity against Naegleria fowleri.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of action of this natural compound against N. fowleri.

Main Methods:

  • Bio-guided fractionation of Argyranthemum frutescens root extract to isolate the active compound.
  • Testing the isolated compound's activity against N. fowleri trophozoites and cysts, comparing it to miltefosine.
  • Assessing cytotoxicity in a murine macrophage cell line and investigating programmed cell death markers.

Main Results:

  • Frutescinol acetate, a polyacetylene, demonstrated potent activity against N. fowleri trophozoites (IC₅₀ 4.97–5.70 µM) and cysts (IC₅₀ 8.53 µM), outperforming miltefosine.
  • The compound exhibited a favorable selectivity profile with low cytotoxicity.
  • Frutescinol acetate induced programmed cell death in N. fowleri, evidenced by chromatin condensation, membrane permeability changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ROS production.

Conclusions:

  • Frutescinol acetate is a potent amoebicidal agent against Naegleria fowleri.
  • The compound induces programmed cell death-like mechanisms in N. fowleri.
  • Frutescinol acetate shows potential as a lead compound for developing new treatments for PAM.
Keywords:
Argyranthemum frutescensBio-guided fractionationFrutescinol acetateNaegleria fowleriPolyacetyleneProgrammed cell death

More Related Videos

Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons10:36

Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons

Published on: November 6, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Necrosis01:16

Necrosis

Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis01:16

Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis

Necrosis is a form of irreversible cell death caused by severe injury such as ischemia, toxins, or trauma. Unlike programmed cell death, it is an uncontrolled, pathological process that typically provokes inflammation in surrounding tissues.Pathophysiologic ChangesNecrosis begins when cells sustain critical damage, leading to swelling of organelles, particularly mitochondria, and rapid ATP depletion. As energy levels decline, membrane ion pumps fail, leading to calcium influx and eventually,...
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...