Objective: To investigate in vitro anti-hydatid efficacy on Echinococcus granulosus protoscolex (EgPSC) by using albendazole sulfoxide (ASOX) and its two enantiomeric antipodes, L-ASOX and D-ASOX.
Methods: Eg protoscoleces were divided into eight groups and cultured in the DMEM culture media under two concentrations(50 microg/ml and 100 microg/ml) of ASOX, L-ASOX and D-ASOX respectively. The appropriate controls included (i) a culture containing an equal amount of DMSO and (ii) a culture medium alone. The mortality of EgPSC in each group was daily counted until 100% EgPSC death in some groups.
Results: Significant difference of EgPSC mortality was found among the three drugs with various concentrations compared to control group (P < 0.01), and a significant difference between L-ASOX group and D-ASOX group (P < 0.05). There were no statistical difference between ASOX group and D-ASOX group (P > 0.05), but between ASOX group and L-ASOX group (P < 0.05). On the 9th day of culture, the mortality of protoscoleces with the concentration of 50 microg/ml was 93.6%, 56.2% and 99.0% in ASOX, L-ASOX and D-ASOX groups respectively, and those under the concentration of 100 microg/ml were 100%, 74.5% and 100% respectively. The mortality was 19.1% and 22.5% respectively in the control and solvent groups.
Conclusion: ASOX, L-ASOX and D-ASOX demonstrate significant effect of anti- Eg protoscolex in vitro. D-ASOX shows stronger effect than L-ASOX.