Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

New insight into praziquantel against various developmental stages of schistosomes

  • Review
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Praziquantel, due to high efficacy, excellent tolerability, few and transient side effects, simple administration, and competitive cost, is virtually the only drug of choice for treatment of human schistosomiasis. Treatment of schistosomiasis has shown great advances with the introduction of the drug into the therapeutic arsenal in areas that are endemic for the parasite. However, the drug presents various efficacies against different developmental stages of schistosomes, appearing an oddity intermitted mode. The present review article reviews the effects and mechanism of action of praziquantel against schistosomes briefly and suggests the research on this oddity phenomenon.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andrews P (1978) Effect of praziquantel on the free living stages of Schistosoma mansoni. Parasitol Res 56:99–106

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews P (1985) Praziquantel: mechanism of anti-schistosomal activity. Pharmacol Ther 29:129–156

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews P, Thomas H, Pohlke R, Seubert J (1983) Praziquantel. Med Res Rev 3:147–200

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Angelucci F, Basso A, Bellelli A, Brunori M, Pica Mattoccia L, Valle C (2007) The anti-schistosomal drug praziquantel is an adenosine antagonist. Parasitology 134:1215–1221

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aragon AD, Imani RA, Blackburn VR, Cupit PM, Melman SD, Goronga T, Webb T, Loker ES, Cunningham C (2009) Towards an understanding of the mechanism of action of praziquantel. Mol Biochem Parasitol 164:57–65

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berriman M, Haas BJ, LoVerde PT, Wilson RA, Dillon GP, Cerqueira GC, Mashiyama ST, Al-Lazikani B, Andrade LF, Ashton PD, Aslett MA, Bartholomeu DC, Blandin G, Caffrey CR, Coghlan A, Coulson R, Day TA, Delcher A, DeMarco R, Djikeng A, Eyre T, Gamble JA, Ghedin E, Gu Y, Hertz-Fowler C, Hirai H, Hirai Y, Houston R, Ivens A, Johnston DA, Lacerda D, Macedo CD, McVeigh P, Ning Z, Oliveira G, Overington JP, Parkhill J, Pertea M, Pierce RJ, Protasio AV, Quail MA, Rajandream MA, Rogers J, Sajid M, Salzberg SL, Stanke M, Tivey AR, White O, Williams DL, Wortman J, Wu W, Zamanian M, Zerlotini A, Fraser-Liggett CM, Barrell BG, El-Sayed NM (2009) The genome of the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. Nature 460:352–358

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Botros SS, Metwally AA, Khayyal MT (1984) The immunological aspects of praziquantel in unsensitized mice with experimentally induced schistosome pulmonary granuloma. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 78:569–572

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brejová B, Vinař T, Chen YY, Wang SY, Zhao GP, Brown DG, Li M, Zhou Y (2009) Finding genes in Schistosoma japonicum: annotating novel genomes with help of extrinsic evidence. Nucleic Acids Res 37:e52

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caffrey CR (2007) Chemotherapy of schistosomiasis: present and future. Curr Opin Chem Biol 11:433–439

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen MG (2005) Use of praziquantel for clinical treatment and morbidity control of schistosomiasis japonica in China: a review of 30 years' experience. Acta Trop 96:168–176

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chuan J, Feng Z, Brindley PJ, McManus DP, Han Z, Jianxin P, Hu W (2010) Our wormy world genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics in East and southeast Asia. Adv Parasitol 73:327–371

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cioli D, Pica-Mattoccia L (2003) Praziquantel. Parasitol Res 90:S3–S9

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coles GC (1979) The effect of praziquantel on Schistosoma mansoni. J Helminthol 53:31–33

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cunha VM, Noël F (1997) Praziquantel has no direct effect on (Na++K+)-ATPases and (Ca2+–Mg2+) ATPases of Schistosoma mansoni. Life Sci 60:PL289–PL294

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Danso-Appiah A, Utzinger J, Liu J, Olliaro P (2008) Drugs for treating urinary schistosomiasis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3:CD000053

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • de Oliveira FM, da Silva IC, Rumjanek FD, Valadão AF, Franco GR, Mesquita RD, da Silva-Neto MA, Fantappié MR (2004) Functional properties of Schistosoma mansoni single-stranded DNA-binding protein SmPUR-alpha. Description of the interaction between SmPUR-alpha and SMYB1. Mol Biochem Parasitol 135:21–30

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doenhoff MJ, Pica-Mattoccia L (2006) Praziquantel for the treatment of schistosomiasis: its use for control in areas with endemic disease and prospects for drug resistance. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 4:199–210

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doenhoff MJ, Cioli D, Utzinger J (2008) Praziquantel: mechanisms of action, resistance and new derivatives for schistosomiasis. Curr Opin Infect Dis 21:659–667

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doenhoff MJ, Hagan P, Cioli D, Southgate V, Pica-Mattoccia L, Botros S, Coles G, Tchuem Tchuenté LA, Mbaye A, Engels D (2009) Praziquantel: its use in control of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa and current research needs. Parasitology 136:1825–1835

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dömling A, Khoury K (2010) Praziquantel and schistosomiasis. ChemMedChem 5:1420–1434

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flisser A, Elsaghier AA, McLaren DJ (1989) Effect of praziquantel on the migration and survival of developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni in mice. Int J Parasitol 19:665–672

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fried B, Abruzzi A (2010) Food-borne trematode infections of humans in the United States of America. Parasitol Res 106:1263–1280

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gönnert R, Andrews P (1977) Praziquantel, a new broad-spectrum antischistosomal agent. Parasitol Res 52:129–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg RM (2005) Ca2+ signalling, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and praziquantel in flatworm neuromusculature. Parasitology 131:S97–S105

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grover JK, Vats V, Uppal G, Yadav S (2001) Anthelmintics: a review. Trop Gastroenterol 22:180–189

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harder A (2002) Chemotherapeutic approaches to schistosomes: current knowledge and outlook. Parasitol Res 88:395–397

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu W, Yan Q, Shen DK, Liu F, Zhu ZD, Song HD, Xu XR, Wang ZJ, Rong YP, Zeng LC, Wu J, Zhang X, Wang JJ, Xu XN, Wang SY, Fu G, Zhang XL, Wang ZQ, Brindley PJ, McManus DP, Xue CL, Feng Z, Chen Z, Han ZG (2003) Evolutionary and biomedical implications of a Schistosoma japonicum complementary DNA resource. Nat Genet 35:139–147

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang YX, Xiao SH (2008) Praziquantel, an anthelmintic drug: research and application. People's Medical Publishing House, Beijing, pp 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang YX, Wu YL, Guan XH, Zhan Z, Jiang ZJ, Xiao SH (2006) Immune-dependence and immune-synergy of praziquantel: a review. Int J Med Parasit Dis 33:256–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang YX, Xu YL, Yu CX, Li HJ, Ying XR, Wang TS, Wang W, Liang YS (2011) Effect of praziquantel prolonged administration on granuloma formation around Schistosoma japonicum eggs in lung of sensitized mice. Parasitol Res. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2485-2

  • Jeziorski MC, Greenberg RM (2006) Voltage-gated calcium channel subunits from platyhelminths: potential role in praziquantel action. Int J Parasitol 36:625–632

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keiser J, Utzinger J (2007) Food-borne trematodiasis: current chemotherapy and advances with artemisinins and synthetic trioxolanes. Trends Parasitol 23:555–562

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar V, Gryseels B (1994) Use of praziquantel against schistosomiasis: a review of current status. Int J Antimicrob Agents 4:313–320

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang YS, Dai JR, Ning A, Yu DB, Xu XJ, Zhu YC, Coles GC (2001a) Susceptibility of Schistosoma japonicum to praziquantel in China. Trop Med Int Health 6:707–714

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang YS, Coles GC, Doenhoff MJ, Southgate VR (2001b) In vitro responses of praziquantel-resistant and -susceptible Schistosoma mansoni to praziquantel. Int J Parasitol 31:1227–1235

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang YS, Coles GC, Dai JR, Zhu YC, Doenhoff MJ (2001c) Biological characteristics of praziquantel-resistant and susceptible isolates of Schistosoma mansoni. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 95:545–553

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang YS, Coles GC, Dai JR, Zhu YC, Doenhoff MJ (2002) Adult worm tegumental damage and egg-granulomas in praziquantel-resistant and -susceptible Schistosoma mansoni treated in vivo. J Helminthol 76:327–333

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liang YS, Wang W, Dai JR, Li HJ, Tao YH, Zhang JF, Li W, Zhu YC, Coles GC, Doenhoff MJ (2010) Susceptibility to praziquantel of male and female cercariae of praziquantel-resistant and susceptible isolates of Schistosoma mansoni. J Helminthol 84:202–207

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu F, Lu J, Hu W, Wang SY, Cui SJ, Chi M, Yan Q, Wang XR, Song HD, Xu XN, Wang JJ, Zhang XL, Zhang X, Wang ZQ, Xue CL, Brindley PJ, McManus DP, Yang PY, Feng Z, Chen Z, Han ZG (2006) New perspectives on host–parasite interplay by comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of Schistosoma japonicum. PLoS Pathog 2:e29

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu F, Hu W, Cui SJ, Chi M, Fang CY, Wang ZQ, Yang PY, Han ZG (2007) Insight into the host–parasite interplay by proteomic study of host proteins copurified with the human parasite, Schistosoma japonicum. Proteomics 7:450–462

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu F, Cui SJ, Hu W, Feng Z, Wang ZQ, Han ZG (2009) Excretory/secretory proteome of the adult developmental stage of human blood fluke, Schistosoma japonicum. Mol Cell Proteomics 8:1236–1251

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuda H, Tanaka H, Nogami S, Muto M (1983) Mechanism of action of praziquantel on the eggs of Schistosoma japonicum. Jpn J Exp Med 53:271–274

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mattos AC, Kusel JR, Pimenta PF, Coelho PM (2006) Active of praziquantel in vitro transformed Schistosoma mansoni sporocysts. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 101:283–287

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehlhorn H, Becker B, Andrews P, Thomas H, Frenkel JK (1981) In vivo and vitro experiments on the effects of praziquantel on Schistosoma mansoni. A light and electron microscopic study. Drug Res 31:544–554

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehlhorn H, Frenkel JK, Andrews P, Thomas H (1982) Light and electron microscopic studies on Schistosoma mansoni granulomas of mouse livers following treatment with praziquantel. Tropenmed Parasitol 33:229–239

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Milhon JL, Thiboldeaux RL, Glowac K, Tracy JW (1997) Schistosoma japonicum GSH S-transferase Sj26 is not the molecular target of praziquantel action. Exp Parasitol 87:268–274

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nogi T, Zhang D, Chan JD, Marchant JS (2009) A novel biological activity of praziquantel requiring voltage-operated Ca2+ channel beta subunits: subversion of flatworm regenerative polarity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 3:e464

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piao X, Cai P, Liu S, Hou N, Hao L, Yang F, Wang H, Wang J, Jin Q, Chen Q (2011) Global expression analysis revealed novel gender-specific gene expression features in the blood fluke parasite Schistosoma japonicum. PLoS One 6:e18267

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pica-Mattoccia L, Valle C, Basso A, Troiani AR, Vigorosi F, Liberti P, Festucci A, Cioli D (2007) Cytochalasin D abolishes the schistosomicidal activity of praziquantel. Exp Parasitol 115:344–351

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pica-Mattoccia L, Orsini T, Basso A, Festucci A, Liberti P, Guidi A, Marcatto-Maggi AL, Nobre-Santana S, Troiani AR, Cioli D, Valle C (2008) Schistosoma mansoni: lack of correlation between praziquantel-induced intra-worm calcium influx and parasite death. Exp Parasitol 119:332–335

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Redman CA, Robertson A, Fallon PG, Modha J, Kusel JR, Doenhoff MJ, Martin RJ (1996) Praziquantel: an urgent and exciting challenge. Parasitol Today 12:14–20

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro-dos-Santos G, Verjovski-Almeida S, Leite LC (2006) Schistosomiasis—a century searching for chemotherapeutic drugs. Parasitol Res 99:505–521

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richards MW, Butcher AJ, Dolphin AC (2004) Ca2+ channel beta subunits: structural insights AID our understanding. Trends Pharmacol Sci 25:626–632

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sabah AA, Fletcher C, Webbe G, Doenhoff MJ (1986) Schistosoma mansoni: chemotherapy of infections of different ages. Exp Parasitol 61:294–303

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schistosoma japonicum Genome Sequencing and Functional Analysis Consortium (2009) The Schistosoma japonicum genome reveals features of host–parasite interplay. Nature 460:345–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seubert J, Pohlke R, Loebich F (1977) Synthesis and properties of praziquantel, a novel broad spectrum anthelmintic with excellent activity against schistosomes and cestodes. Experientia 33:1036–1037

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shao BR, Shao SH, Xu YQ, Pan QR (1980) Action of several antischistosomal agents on Schistosoma japonicum ova. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2:102

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson I, Wiselka M (2000) Drug treatment of tropical parasitic infections: recent achievements and developments. Drugs 60:985–995

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tallima H, El Ridi R (2007) Praziquantel binds Schistosoma mansoni adult worm actin. Int J Antimicrob Agents 29:570–575

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Troiani AR, Pica-Mattoccia L, Valle C, Cioli D, Mignogna G, Ronketti F, Todd M (2007) Is actin the praziquantel receptor? Int J Antimicrob Agents 30:280–281

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webbe G, James C (1977) A comparison of the susceptibility to praziquantel of Schistosoma haematobium, S. japonicum, S. mansoni, S. intercalatum and S. mattheei in hamsters. Parasitol Res 52:169–177

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webster JP, Oliviera G, Rollinson D, Gower CM (2010) Schistosome genomes: a wealth of information. Trends Parasitol 26:103–106

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2002) Prevention and control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis: report of a WHO expert committee. WHO Technical Report Series 912. WHO, Geneva

  • Xiao SH (2007) Study progress on the mode of action of praziquantel against schistosomes. Chin J Parasitol Parasit Dis 25:492–502

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao SH, Shao BR, Xu YQ, Pan QR (1980) The actions of praziquantel on the morphological changes of schistosomes, oviposition of female worms and hatching of ova. Natl Med J China 60:137–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao SH, Catto BA, Webster LT Jr (1985a) Effects of praziquantel on different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni in vitro and in vivo. J Infec Dis 151:1130–1137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao SH, Yue WJ, Mei JY (1985b) Analysis of prophylactic effect of praziquantel on mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. Acta Pharmaceut Sin 20:641–646

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao SH, Guo HF, Zhang RQ, Xue HC, Qiu LS (1985c) The effect of immune serum on male Schistosoma japonicum subjected to praziquantel. Acta Pharmaceut Sin 20:10–16

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao SH, Yue WJ, Yang YQ, You JQ (1987a) Susceptibility of Schistosoma japonicum to different developmental stages to praziquantel. Chin Med J (Engl) 100:759–768

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao SH, Yue WJ, Mei JY (1987b) Susceptibility of schistosomula at various ages to praziquantel during invasion in mouse skin and observations on certain characteristics of schistosomula surface. Acta Pharmacol Sin 8:261–266

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao SH, Mei JY, Jiao PY (2009) Further study on mefloquine concerning several aspects in experimental treatment of mice and hamsters infected with Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitol Res 106:131–138

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yang YQ, Yang HZ, Zhang CW (1984) Effects of praziquantel on Schistosoma japonicum egg granuloma in sensitized mice. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 6:217–220

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang YQ, Yang HZ, Xiao SH (1987) Effects of praziquantel on the tegument of different developmental stages of Schistosoma japonicum and host cell response. Chin J Parasitol Parasit Dis 5(207–209):211

    Google Scholar 

  • Yi XM, Combes C (1987) Effect of praziquantel on larval stages of Schistosoma japonicum. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 81:645–650

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • You JQ, Xiao SH, Yue WJ (1986) Effect of praziquantel in vitro on different developmental stages of Schistosoma japonicum. Acta Pharmacol Sin 7:82–84

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yue WJ, You JQ, Mei JY (1985) Prophylactic activity of praziquantel in animals infected with Schistosoma japonicum. Acta Pharmacol Sin 6:186–188

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study received financial supports from the National Science and Technology Pillar Program of China (grant no. 2009BAI78B06), Jiangsu Department of Health (grant no. X200912), and Jiangsu Provincial Scientific Foundation of Preventive Medicine (Y201031).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, 117 Yangxiang, Meiyuan, Wuxi, 214064, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Wu, Wei Wang & Yi-xin Huang

  2. Key Laboratory on Technology for Parasitic Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health, 117 Yangxiang, Meiyuan, Wuxi, 214064, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Wu, Wei Wang & Yi-xin Huang

Authors
  1. Wei Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wei Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yi-xin Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yi-xin Huang.

Additional information

Wei Wu and Wei Wang contributed equally to this work.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wu, W., Wang, W. & Huang, Yx. New insight into praziquantel against various developmental stages of schistosomes. Parasitol Res 109, 1501–1507 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2670-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2670-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation