Brazilian Red Propolis and Its Active Constituent 7-O-methylvestitol Impair Early and Late Stages of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Human Placental Models
<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a globally distributed protozoan parasite and a major cause of congenital infections, particularly in South America. Current therapies for congenital toxoplasmosis are limited by toxicity, long treatment regimens, and suboptimal efficacy, highlighting the urgent need for safer and more effective alternatives. In this study, we evaluated the antiparasitic effects of crude ethanolic extract of Brazilian Red Propolis (BRP) and its isolated compounds, focusing on 7-O-methylvestitol, in human trophoblast (BeWo) cells and third-trimester placental explants. Both BRP and 7-O-methylvestitol significantly reduced <i>T. gondii</i> adhesion, invasion, and intracellular replication, without compromising host cell viability. Ultrastructural analyses revealed irreversible parasite damage, and cytokine profiling demonstrated immunomodulatory effects, with enhanced production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in BeWo cells and downregulation of IL-6, MIF, and tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in infected placental villi. Notably, 7-O-methylvestitol reproduced and, in some assays, surpassed the antiparasitic activity of BRP, suggesting it as a key bioactive constituent responsible for the therapeutic potential of the extract. These findings support the identification of 7-O-methylvestitol as a promising lead compound for structure-based drug design and repositioning strategies, advancing the development of novel, safe, and targeted therapies against congenital toxoplasmosis.
Authors
- Angélica de Oliveira Gomes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8719-2794)
- Aryani Felixa Fajardo Martínez
- Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8634-6878)
- Rodrigo Cássio Sola Veneziani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7057-9706)
- Rosiane Nascimento Alves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7470-7082)
- Bellisa Freitas Barbosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4611-2844)
- Nágela Bernadelli Sousa Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6644-2045)
- Jairo Kenupp Bastos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8641-9686)
- Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3835-1925)
- Guilherme Vieira Faria (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6813-2080)
- Maria Anita Lemos Vasconcelos Ambrósio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7972-3129)
- Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- José Roberto Mineo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9010-7228)
- Guilherme de Souza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0787-9719)
- Samuel Cota Teixeira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1978-1658)
- Eloísa Amália Vieira Ferro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7447-2583)
- Joed Pires de Lima Júnior (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6886-281X)
- Luana Carvalho Luz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6890-1161)
- Rafael Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1608-9172)
- Natália Carine Lima dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1660-3423)
Institutions
- Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (BR)
- Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (BR)
- Universidade de Franca (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (BR)
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Microorganisms
- Published
- 2025-08-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081937
- Primary Topic
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais