Antifilarial and antibiotic activities of Methanolic extracts of Melaleuca cajuputi flowers
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Abstract
We evaluated the activity of methanolic extracts of Melaleuca cajuputi flowers against the filarial worm Brugia pahangi and its bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. Anti-Wolbachia activity was measured in worms and in Aedes albopictus Aa23 cells by PCR, electron microscopy, and other biological assays. In particular, microfilarial release, worm motility, and viability were determined. M. cajuputi flower extracts were found to significantly reduce Wolbachia endosymbionts in Aa23 cells, Wolbachia surface protein, and microfilarial release, as well as the viability and motility of adult worms. Anti-Wolbachia activity was further confirmed by observation of degraded and phagocytized Wolbachia in worms treated with the flower extracts. The data provided in vitro and in vivo evidence that M. cajuputi flower extracts inhibit Wolbachia, an activity that may be exploited as an alternative strategy to treat human lymphatic filariasis.
Keywords
Brugia pahangi, Wolbachia, Lymphatic filariasis, Melaleuca cajuputi, Natural product
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia: (FRGS FP011/2011A),University Malaya Research Grants (PPP) (PG085-2012B, RG313-14AFR, RG546-14HTM, and RG515-13HTM)
Publication Title
Korean Journal of Parasitology
Volume
54
Issue
3
Publisher
Korean Society of Parasitology