Seaweed-Derived Halogenated Monoterpenes as Lead Compounds in Schistosomiasis Control
Sara Guibunda Tajú1,2, Amanda Beatriz da Silva Soares2,3, Patrícia Aoki Miyasato2
1Research Center in Biodiversity and Conservation-CPBC, Púnguè University, Chimoio 333, Manica, Mozambique.
Pharmaceutics
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Marine algae compounds show promise for schistosomiasis control. Extracts from Ochtodes secundiramea effectively target adult worms and kill transmission stages, offering new hope against this widespread parasitic disease.
Area of Science:
- Marine Natural Products Chemistry
- Parasitology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Schistosomiasis affects over 250 million people globally, with current praziquantel treatment facing drug resistance concerns.
- Marine macroalgae represent an underexplored reservoir for novel antischistosomal compounds.
- Integrated control strategies require targeting both the parasite and its transmission vectors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify bioactive metabolites from the marine alga Ochtodes secundiramea.
- To evaluate isolated compounds against adult Schistosoma mansoni worms and egg laying.
- To assess the activity of compounds against cercariae and Biomphalaria glabrata embryos, key transmission stages.
Main Methods:
- NMR-guided fractionation of a dichloromethane extract of O. secundiramea against S. mansoni adult worms.
- Purification of active fractions using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
- Structural characterization of isolated compounds via 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Three halogenated monoterpenes were isolated: ochtodene 1, ochtodene 2, and the novel ochtodene 3.
- Ochtodene 1 demonstrated significant activity against adult S. mansoni worms (IC50 ~47 µM) and suppressed egg laying (60 µM) without toxicity to human fibroblasts.
- All isolated metabolites, including ochtodene 3, exhibited 100% mortality against cercariae and B. glabrata embryos at low concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Ochtodes secundiramea is a promising source of bioactive compounds for schistosomiasis control.
- The novel ochtodene 3 and other isolated metabolites offer potential leads for both therapeutic treatment and transmission interruption.
- These findings support an integrated approach to combat schistosomiasis using marine-derived natural products.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Antiprotozoal Agents
Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by several Leishmania species. It affects millions of people each year and remains a major public health problem in endemic regions. First-line treatment relies on pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate. Even so, how these drugs work has not been fully clear, especially their interaction with parasite-specific biochemical pathways. One key target is trypanothione reductase (TR), an enzyme that...
01:15Anthelminthic Agents
Anthelmintic drugs differ significantly from antiparasitic therapies targeting protozoa, primarily due to differences in parasite biology. Whereas most protozoal treatments act on proliferating cells, anthelmintics are typically directed against mature, nonproliferative helminths. The therapeutic approach considers the helminth's reliance on neuromuscular coordination, glucose metabolism, and microtubular integrity for survival, reproduction, and localization within the host. Most anthelmintics...
02:26Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Sulfides are the sulfur analog of ethers, just as thiols are the sulfur analog of alcohol. Like ethers, sulfides also consist of two hydrocarbon groups bonded to the central sulfur atom. Depending upon the type of groups present, sulfides can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical sulfides can be prepared via an SN2 reaction between 2 equivalents of an alkyl halide and one equivalent of sodium sulfide.