In vitro efficacy of Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) essential oil on S. mansoni adult worms: A study on motility, tegument ultrastructural changes, and oxidative stress biomarkers

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Since Praziquantel (PZQ) is not effective against juveniles, much attention was directed to natural products. Anti-parasitic activities were reported for lemon grass essential oil.
Objective: To assess the in vitro effect of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oil on S. mansoni adults.
Material and Methods: One hundred and fifty S. mansoni adults, of both sexes, were divided into five equal groups, categorized as normal control group (GI), PZQ (1 μg/ml) exposed group (GII), and C. citratus oil extract (CCO)-exposed groups (III, IV, and V) at concentrations of 10 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ ml, respectively. All groups were incubated and observed after 24 h and 48 h to evaluate worm motility, tegumental morphological changes, the activity of oxidative stress biomarkers glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide diSmutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA); as well as gene expression of ubiquitin protein ligase Hul5 (SmHul5) and deubiquitinating enzyme Ubp6 (SmUbp6).
Results: It was demonstrated that CCO was effective against S. mansoni adults in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. It significantly reduced worm motility and induced obvious changes in tegumental ultrastructure. Additionally, there was a notable decrease in GPx activity, accompanied by an increase in SOD activity at 10, and 50 concentrations, while the higher concentration (100 μg/ml) led to significant SOD inhibition. Activity of MDA showed marked increase. Due to oxidative stress, and damaged proteins, gene expression of SmHul5, and SmUbp6 displayed up-regulations.
Conclusion: It is concluded that CCO is a promising schistosomicidal agent for future studies.

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Parasitologists United Journal
Volume 18, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 174-184

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