Dracunculus medinensis and Schistosoma mansoni contain opiate alkaloids

W. Zhu, G. Baggerman, W. Evan Secor, F. Casares, S. C. Pryor, G. L. Fricchione, E. Ruiz-Tiben, M. L. Eberhard, L. Bimi, G. B. Stefano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The results of analysis, by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection and by nano-electrospray-ionization, double quadrupole/orthogonal-acceleration, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, indicate that adult Dracunculus medinensis and Schistosoma rnansoni both contain the opiate alkaloid morphine and that D. medinesis also contains the active metabolite of morphine, morphine 6-glucuronide. From these and previous observations, it would appear that many helminths are probably using opiate alkaloids as potent immunosuppressive and antinociceptive signal molecules, to down-regulate immunosurveillance responsiveness and pain signalling in their hosts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)309-316
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology
Volume96
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

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