The flavan-3-ol, (-)-epicatechin has been previously identified as the most important antiamoebic compound among the extracts from two medicinal plants: Rubus coriifolius and Geranium mexicanum. Here we report the effects of epicatechin on Entamoeba histolytica morphology, analyzed by electronic microscopy. E. histolytica trophozoites were incubated for 48 h at 37 degrees C in the presence of 1.9 microg/mL epicatechin and processed for electronic microscopy analysis. Epicatechin induced nuclear and cytoplasmic changes in the treated trophozoites. These morphological alterations are identical to the cellular changes experienced by E. histolytica trophozoites undergoing programmed cell death (PCD), suggesting that epicatechin could be an alternative compound to treat amoebiasis.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0029-1240599 | DOI Listing |
Cureus
December 2024
Department of Anatomy, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur, IND.
Purpose Hepatic abscesses remain a significant clinical challenge due to high morbidity and mortality. This research aims to examine the etiological spectrum, management approaches, clinical features, and results in hepatic abscesses in a tertiary care facility in northern India, emphasizing the distinctions among pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) and amoebic liver abscesses (ALAs). Methods This retrospective study was done at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, analyzing 725 patients with hepatic abscesses over a 10-year period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMolecules
December 2024
Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07360, Mexico.
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is an enzyme that produces monomethyl arginine (MMA) and symmetric dimethyl arginine (sDMA), post-translational modifications that regulate several cellular processes, including stage conversion in parasitic protozoans. , the etiologic agent of human amebiasis, has two stages in its life cycle, the trophozoite, which is the replicative form, and the cyst, corresponding to the infective phase. The study of the molecular mechanisms that regulate differentiation in this parasite has been overdue because of a lack of efficient protocols for in vitro encystment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld J Gastroenterol
January 2025
Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi 75500, Sindh, Pakistan.
Parasites have coexisted with humans throughout history, forming either symbiotic relationships or causing significant morbidity and mortality. The liver is particularly vulnerable to parasitic infections, which can reside in, pass through, or be transported to the liver, leading to severe damage. This editorial explores various parasites that infect the liver, their clinical implications, and diagnostic considerations, as discussed in the article "Parasites of the liver: A global problem?".
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Bras Nefrol
January 2025
Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that infection by enteroparasites can affect ~3.5 billion people around the world. Hemodialysis (HD) patients may be more susceptible to infections by opportunistic pathogens due to impaired immune function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
December 2024
BIGR, UMR_S1134 Inserm, University of Paris City, 75006 Paris, France.
Metabolic pathway modeling, essential for understanding organism metabolism, is pivotal in predicting genetic mutation effects, drug design, and biofuel development. Enhancing these modeling techniques is crucial for achieving greater prediction accuracy and reliability. However, the limited experimental data or the complexity of the pathway makes it challenging for researchers to predict phenotypes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!