Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2013

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Dr. Blaise Dondji, Biology

Second Committee Member

Dr. Gabrielle Stryker, Biology

Third Committee Member

Dr. Audrey D. Huerta, Director Science Honors Research Program

Abstract

Hookworm infections are one of the most common parasite infections in the world, infecting over 600 million people worldwide, mainly in impoverished areas. The current major approach to treating hookworm is periodic deworming with benzimidazoles. However, the frequent mass drug treatment has lead to a serious problem of drug resistance. Thus, efforts are moving towards developing new drugs and vaccines. We worked towards developing an assay to test the anthelmintic effect of plant extracts. The assays we developed tested the ability of samples to debilitate helminth worms to the point where they can no longer attach to the lining of the intestine. This newly developed protocol tested organic compounds extracted from the plants Oemleria cerasiformis, Adenocaulon bicolor, Dais cotinifolia, Co/lomia grandifl.ora, and others. The assay measured anthelminthic activity in adult hookworms by observing changes in their motility after exposure to the drugs.

After performing multiple experiments, we can conclude that 25% FCS is the optimum amount of serum for the worms in culture, and the DMSO experimental data must be either confirmed or denied by further experiments. Without the knowledge of what percentage of DMSO the worms can survive in, we are unable to do any further rug testing. We found that, without a doubt, more replications of the drug trial experiments are needed, especially because the concentration of DMSO that is safe for the worms is also under question. Once all the variables have been controlled, there is definitely hope for a plant extract drug in the future to combat hookworm. However, in general, the results show that my developed protocol is successful for maintaining worms outside of the body for an extended period of time.

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