Korean J Parasitol.  2021 Jun;59(3):297-301. 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.3.297.

Evaluation of the anti-Toxoplasma gondii Activity of Hederagenin in vitro and in vivo

• Zhang RH
• Jin R
• Deng H
• Shen QK
• Quan ZS
• Jin CM

• KMID: 2517061
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2021.59.3.297

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii infection is widespread worldwide, not only posing a serious threat to human food safety and animal husbandry, but also endangering human health. The selectivity index was employed to measure anti-T. gondii activity. Hederagenin (HE) exhibited potent anti-T. gondii activity and low cytotoxicity. For this reason, HE was selected for in vivo experiments. HE showed 64.8%±13.1% inhibition for peritoneal tachyzoites in mice, higher than spiramycin 56.8%±6.0%. Biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutathione, and malondialdehyde, illustrated that HE was a good inhibitor of T. gondii in vivo. This compound was also effective in relieving T. gondii-induced liver damage. Collectively, it was demonstrated that HE had potential as an anti-T. gondii agent.

Keyword

hederagenin; inhibition; in vitro; in vivo