Metformin exhibits preventive and therapeutic efficacy against experimental cystic echinococcosis.

LOOS JULIA .A.; DÁVILA VALERIA A. ; RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUES C; PETRIGH ROMINA; ZOPPI JORGE A; CROCENZI FERNANDO A; CUMINO ANDREA C.

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (PLOS NEGLECT TROP D)

Public Library Science PLOS

Año: 2017 vol. 11 p. 1 - 23

1935-2735

Metformin exhibits preventive and therapeutic efficacy against experimental cystic echinococcosis. Loos JA, Dávila VA, Rodrigues CR, Petrigh R, Zoppi JA, Crocenzi FA, Cumino AC. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017, 11(2):e0005370. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005370.Metformin (Met) is an anti-hyperglycemic and potential anti-cancer agent which may exertits anti-proliferative effects via the induction of energetic stress. In this study we investigatedthe in vitro and in vivo efficacy of Met against the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus.Metformin showed significant dose- and time-dependent killing effects on in vitro culturedprotoscoleces and metacestodes. Notably, the combination of Met together with the minimumeffective concentration of ABZSO had a synergistic effect after days 3 and 12 on metacestodesand protoscoleces, respectively. Oral administration of Met (50 mg/kg/day) in E.granulosus-infected mice was highly effective in reducing the weight and number of parasitecysts, yet its combination with the lowest recommended dose of ABZ (5 mg/kg/day) waseven more effective. Coincidentally, intracystic Met accumulation was higher in animalstreated with both drugs compared to those administered Met alone. Furthermore, the safeplant-derived drug Met exhibited remarkable chemopreventive properties against secondaryhydatidosis in mice. In conclusion, based on our experimental data, Met emerges as apromising anti-echinococcal drug as it has proven to efficiently inhibit the development andgrowth of the E. granulosus larval stage and its combination with ABZ may improve the currentanti-parasitic therapy.