[Killing effect of sodium abietate on adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum in vitro].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe the killing effect of sodium abietate on adult male and female worms of Schistosoma japonicum in vitro. METHODS: The mice infected with cercariae of S. japonicum were sacrificed and perfused five weeks later, the adult worms obtained by the portal perfusion method, were cultivated in DMEM medium containing different concentrations of sodium abietate for 3 days, except the controls, then the worms were observed for the death and motility reducing. The worms were stained by hydrochloric acid carmine for the detection of the changes, and the protein of the worms was detected by using the ultraviolet ray-absorption and Bradford method. RESULT: After the treatment of sodium abietate, the mortality and motility reducing rate of adult worms were higher significantly than the controls; the effect of sodium abietate on male worms was more obvious than on female worms. The male worms' intestinal canal enlarged and appeared black or brown bands or spots after the treatment. The contents of the intestine of female worms were distributed asymmetrically, and the shape of some worms' ovaries was anomalism and the coloring was asymmetrical. Compared with the control group, the protein of adult male and female worms were reduced (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sodium abietate could kill adult worms of S. japonicum in vitro. It may affect the protein metabolism of the worms.