In vitro schistosomicidal activity of the lignan (−)-6,6′-dinitrohinokinin (DNHK) loaded into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles against Schistosoma mansoni

Figures & data

Scheme 1. Representation of the DNHK synthesis by nitration of (−)-hinokinin.

Figure 1. (A) Absorption measurements of DNHK standard solutions by UV–Vis spectroscopy. (B) DNHK standard curve in acetonitrile acquired using the DNHK absorbance values at 348 nm. (C) Electronic absorption spectra of DNHK extracted from the PLGA nanoparticles. The three curves for each fibre indicate the triplicate, and all graphics were obtained by using Origin 8.0 software.

Figure 2. FESEM images of (A) DNHK-loaded PLGA 85:15 and (B) PLGA 85:15 nanoparticles.

Figure 3. X-ray pattern obtained for (a) DNHK, (b) PLGA and (c) DNHK-loaded PLGA nanoparticles.

Table 1. Effect of DNHK-loaded PLGA nanoparticles against S. mansoni adult worms pairs.

Groups	Incubation time (h)	Unpaired worms (%)	Dead worms (%)
RPMI 1640	24	0	0
	120	0	0
RPMI 1640 + PLGA	24	0	0
	120	0	0
PZQ 10 µM	24	0	100 ± 0***
	120	0	100 ± 0***
10 μM	24	0 ± 0	0 ± 0
	120	0 ± 0	0 ± 0
50 μM	24	0 ± 0	0 ± 0
	120	100 ± 0***	0 ± 0
100 μM	24	0 ± 0	0 ± 0
	120	100 ± 0***	100 ± 0***
150 μM	24	100 ± 0***	100 ± 0***
	120	100 ± 0***	100 ± 0***
200 μM	24	100 ± 0***	100 ± 0***
	120	100 ± 0***	100 ± 0***

Asterisk indicates statistically significant differences compared with the negative control group (***p < 0.001). All experiments were carried out in quadruplicate and repeated at least three times.