Protective effect of benzaldehyde combined with albendazole against brain injury induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in mice

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106963
• Publication Date: 2023-09-02T23:13:37Z
• Authors: Kuang-Yao Chen; Chien-Ju Cheng; Yi-Ju Chen; Cheng-Hsun Chiu; Lian-Chen Wang
• Keywords: Albendazole; Benzaldehyde

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, also known as rat lungworm, is an important food-borne zoonotic parasite that causes severe neuropathological damage and symptoms, including eosinophilic meningitis meningoencephalitis, in humans. At present, the therapeutic strategy for cerebral angiostrongyliasis remains controversial. Benzaldehyde, bioactive constituent of Gastrodia elata (Tianma), reduces oxidative stress by inhibiting production reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to evaluate effect benzaldehyde combination with albendazole on animal models. First, data from body weight monitoring behavioural analyses demonstrated improved cognitive function changes after A. cantonensis infection. Next, blood‒brain barrier breakdown pathological were reduced treatment BALB/c mice infected cantonensis. Subsequently, four RNA-seq datasets established mouse brains had undergone different treatments: normal, infection, infection + albendazole, 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde groups. Ultimately, was found regulate cell apoptosis, Sonic Hedgehog signalling evaluated angiostrongyliasis, provided a potential human clinical setting. Moreover, molecular mechanism elucidated.