Monique Cunha Amaro

Ms. Monique Cunha Amaro


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 August 2024 in Antibiotics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EUEric Umehara
Eric Umehara
TTThainá Rocha Teixeira
Thainá Rocha Teixeira
Rayssa Araújo CajasRayssa Araújo Cajas
Rayssa Araújo Cajas
MAMonique Cunha Amaro
Monique Cunha Amaro
JMJosue De Moraes
Josue De Moraes
JLJoao Henrique Ghilardi Lago
Joao Henrique Ghilardi Lago
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease impacting over 250 million individuals globally, remains a major public health challenge due to its prevalence and significant impact on affected communities. Praziquantel, the sole available treatment, highlights the urgency of the need for novel anthelmintic agents to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of schistosomiasis elimination. Previous studies reported the promising antiparasitic activity of different terpenoids against Schistosoma mansoni Sambon (Diplostomida: Schistosomatidae). In the present work, the hexane extract from branches of Drimys brasiliensis afforded a diastereomeric mixture of endoperoxide sesquiterpenes, including 3,6-epidioxy-bisabola-1,10-diene (EDBD). This compound was evaluated in vitro and in vivo against S. mansoni. EDBD exhibited a significant reduction in S. mansoni viability in vitro, with an effective concentration (EC50) value of 4.1 µM. Additionally, EDBD demonstrated no toxicity to mammalian cells. In silico analysis predicted good drug-likeness properties, adhering to pharmaceutical industry standards, including favorable ADME profiles. Furthermore, oral treatment of S. mansoni-infected mice with EDBD (400 mg/kg) resulted in a remarkable egg burden reduction (98% and 99% in tissues and feces, respectively) surpassing praziquantel’s efficacy. These findings suggest the promising potential of EDBD as a lead molecule for developing a novel schistosomiasis treatment.