Phylogeny-Related Variations in Venomics: A Test in a Subset of Habu Snakes ().

We conducted a comparative analysis to unveil the divergence among venoms from a subset of Old World habu snakes () in terms of venomic profiles and toxicological and enzymatic activities. A total of 14 protein families were identified in the venoms from these habu snakes, and 11 of them were shared among these venoms. The venoms of five adult habu snakes were overwhelmingly dominated by SVMP (32.

Optimization of an Evaluation Method for Anti-Babesia microti Drug Efficacy.

Babesiosis is an emerging zoonotic disease that is typically caused by Babesia microti infection. Clinical treatment of B. microti infection is challenging; hence, it is crucial to find new effective drugs.

Contribution to the echinococcosis control programme in China by NIPD-CTDR.

As a zoonotic parasitosis caused by the parasitism of Echinococcus larvae, echinococcosis imposes serious disease and economic burdens on human beings and society, and is thus a global public health issue. Its complex life history, wide distribution, the combined influence of various epidemic factors, coupled with the unique natural environment, customs, and religious beliefs in endemic areas, pose a huge challenge to the national echinococcosis control programme in China. Accurate early detection and confirmation of diagnosis of echinococcosis, the use of effective drugs, real-time surveillance of the infection status of populations and various hosts, controlling the source of infection, and blocking the route of transmission are of enormous significance for control.

Contributions and achievements on schistosomiasis control and elimination in China by NIPD-CTDR.

Being a zoonotic parasitic disease, schistosomiasis was widely spread in 12 provinces of Southern China in the 1950s, severly harming human health and hindering economic development. The National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at the Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, and Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research (NIPD-CTDR), as the only professional institution focussing on parasitic diseases at the national level, has played an important role in schistosomiasis control in the country. In this article, we look back at the changes of schistosomiasis endemicity and the contribution of NIPD-CTDR to the national schistosomiasis control programme.

The efficacy of an alternative mebendazole formulation in mice infected with Echinococcus multilocularis.

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of a new formulation of MBZ oily suspension (MBZ-OS) in experimentally Echinococcus multilocularis-infected mice. MBZ-OS was prepared and administered to mice infected with E. multilocularis at 12.

Slow-release praziquantel for dogs: presentation of a new formulation for echinococcosis control.

Background: Echinococcosis is a serious, zoonotic, parasitic disease with worldwide distribution. According to a epidemiological survey in 2012 in China, there are 20,000 infected patients and more than 50 million people at the risk. As the dog is the main, definitive host, the Government of China encourages monthly praziquantel treatment of every dog.

[In vitro Killing Effect of Eucalyptus robusta Leaves Extract on Echinococcus granulosus Protoscolices].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Eucalyptus robusta leaves extract against Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices in vitro.

Methods: Mature leaves of Eucalyptus robusta were collected on 24th day in each month from January to December 2012, and air-dried in the room. Ultrasonic extraction of the leaves was done with 4 solvents with different polarity, petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and anhydrous ethanol.

[In Vitro Effects of Aminoalcohol-carbazole Compound BTB3 against Echinococcus granulosus].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a aminoalcohol-carbazole compound BTB3 against Echinococcus granulosus in vitro.

Methods: The protoscoleces from sheep and germinal cells from secondary-infected mice were cultured and treated with 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 20 μg/ml BTB3 for 3 days. The viability of protoscoleces and cells was determined by the methylene blue exclusion method and CCK-8 assay.

[Antiprotozoal Activities of Eucalyptus Extracts and Their Chemical Components].

Eucalyptus is a fast-growing plant with rich activities. The roots, stems and leaves of Eucalyptus all have medicinal values. Extracts from different parts of various kinds of Eucalyptus show antiparasitic effects, not only the repelling and killing effects on ectoparasites such as ticks and mites, but also the antiparasitic activities against endoparasites such as helminth and protozoa.

Inhibitory effects of 19 antiprotozoal drugs and antibiotics on Babesia microti infection in BALB/c mice.

Introduction: Different results have been achieved in the evaluation of antiparasitic drug activity in Mongolian jirds, hamsters, and BALB/c mice infected with Babesia microti. The aims of the present study were to find a preferable method for drug screening and to re-evaluate the activity of several drugs against B. microti.

Significance of higher drug concentration in erythrocytes of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum and treated orally with mefloquine at single doses.

The purpose of the present study is to understand the pharmacokinetic feature of mefloquine measured by erythrocytes and plasma in Schistosoma japonicum (S. j.)-infected mice and non-infected mice after oral administration of the drug at single doses.

[Plasma Metabolism and Protective Effect of Oral Administration of Niclosamide on Schistosoma japonicum Cercarial Invasion in Mice].

Objective: To study the metabolism of niclosamide in plasma, and the protective effect of its oral administration on Schistosoma japonicum cercarial invasion in mice.

Methods: Twenty-four female Kunming mice were randomly divided into 8 groups, each with 3 mice. Each mouse was treated orally with 120 mg niclosamide per kilogram of body weight (120 mg/kg).

[Controlled Veterinary Drug Delivery Systems against Parasitic Infection].

Parasitic infections, especially the gastrointestinal and lung nematode infections, are most common in livestock in temperate areas, and it is the major constraints affecting livestock production. In grazing season, outdoor activities of animals cause inconvenience to the application of antiparasitic drugs. Therefore, controlled drug delivery systems can prolong the effect time and reduce the difficulty of drug administration.

An alternative mebendazole formulation for cystic echinococcosis: the treatment efficacy, pharmacokinetics and safety in mice.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic infection worldwide caused by metacestodes of Echinococcus gruanulosus. Mebendazole and albendazole are the only two drugs used in the treatment of this disease with cure rates only about 30% due to the poor oral absorption. Thus an alternative treatment for this disease is needed.

Efficacy and safety of praziquantel, tribendimidine and mebendazole in patients with co-infection of Clonorchis sinensis and other helminths.

Background: Both tribendimidine and mebendazole are broad-spectrum drugs for anti-intestinal nematodes. We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of tribendimidine and mebendazole in patients with co-infection of Clonorchis sinensis and other helminths.

Method: We performed a randomized open-label trial in Qiyang, People's Republic of China.

[GC/MS-based dynamic analysis of Eucalyptus camaldulensis extract on correlation of chromatography-activity against Oncomelania hupensis].

Objective: To determine the contributions of main chemical compositions of extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis represented by GC/MS elute peaks to the molluscicidal activities, and explore a shortcut of looking for the effective components from natural products.

Methods: E. camaldulensis leaves were collected consecutively in 12 months at the same place, extracted with dichloromethane, analyzed by GC/MS, and their LC50(s) of molluscicidal activities were tested according to the method recommended by WHO.

Ultrastructural alterations of adult Schistosoma japonicum harbored in mice treated with a single oral dose of OZ78.

Objective: To observe the ultrastructural alterations of adult Schistosoma japonicum induced by synthetic trioxolane OZ78.

Methods: Eight out of ten mice infected with 40-60 S. japonicum cercariae for 35 d were treated orally with OZ78 at a single dose of 400 mg/kg.

[Effect of long-term use of albendazole on mice liver].

Objective: To observe the change in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin (DBL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB), and mouse liver ultrastructure during 1-16 weeks of albendazole treatment.

Methods: 180 female Kunming mice were divided randomly into albendazole treatment group and negative control group. Each mouse of albendazole treatment group was treated with 136.

Research gaps for three main tropical diseases in the People's Republic of China.

This scoping review analyzes the research gaps of three diseases: schistosomiasis japonica, malaria and echinococcosis. Based on available data in the P.R.

[In vitro metabolism of fenbendazole prodrug].

Synthesized fenbendazole prodrug N-methoxycarbonyl-N'-(2-nitro-4-phenylthiophenyl) thiourea (MPT) was analyzed in vitro in artificial gastric juice, intestinal juice and mouse liver homogenate model by using HPLC method, and metabolic curve was then generated. MPT was tested against Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices in vitro. The result showed that MPT could be metabolized in the three biological media, and to the active compound fenbendazole in liver homogenate, with a metabolic rate of 7.

[Progress on hydrolases-targeting antiparasitic prodrugs].

Prodrug strategies have been used for drug optimization to overcome the drawbacks in pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Most enzymes involved in prodrug biotransformation are hydrolases, in which esterase and amidase have been widely researched. This review summarizes the recent progress in antiparasitic prodrugs based on both targets.

Enhanced bioavailability and cysticidal effect of three mebendazole-oil preparations in mice infected with secondary cysts of Echinococcus granulosus.

The aim of the present study is to explore the possibility to increase the efficacy of mebendazole (MBZ) against secondary cysts of Echinococcus granulosus harbored in mice by augmenting the solubility and bioavailability of the drug. Firstly, the saturated solubility of MBZ in nine kinds of oil was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and MBZ was found exhibiting the highest, secondary, and lowest solubility in oleic acid (OA), glycerol trioleate (GT), and soybean oil (SB), respectively. Secondly, MBZ-OA suspension, MBZ-GT suspension, MBZ-SB suspension, and MBZ suspended in 1 % tragacanth (MBZ-1 % tragacanth) were selected for further studies on pharmacokinetics and experimental therapy in mice.

Further studies on mefloquine and praziquantel alone or interaction of both drugs against Schistosoma japonicum in vitro.

The aim of the present study is to further understand and analyze the interaction of mefloquine with praziquantel against adult Schistosoma japonicum in vitro. Mice infected with S. japonicum cercariae for 35-37 days were sacrificed, and adult schistosomes were collected by perfusion.

Ultrastructural alterations of juvenile Schistosoma japonicum harbored in mice following mefloquine administration.

The aim of the present study was to assess the ultrastructural alterations of juvenile Schistosoma japonicum induced by mefloquine. Mice infected with 14-day-old S. japonicum were treated orally with mefloquine at a single dose of 400 mg/kg.