Investigation of scolicidal effect of CM11 on Hydatid cyst

In present study, in order to evaluate scolicidal effect of CM11anti-microbial peptide (α-helical peptide with 11 amino acids) against hydatid cyst, Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices were collected and washed with normal saline. At first, the percentage of viability of protoscolices was evaluated using eosin staining. Different concentrations of CM11 peptide (16, 64, 128, and 256 μmol.), along with positive and negative control group, were used against protoscolices for 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes. Eosin staining was done at the end of the incubation time, and the images were taken with a camera equipped with Tcapture software. Finally, the number of dead and live protoscolices was determined by ImageJ software, and the viability and mortality percent was calculated. Data analysis was carried out by using Sigma Stat (version 3.5). P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Up to 2 hours, the effect of all concentrations of CM11 peptide on protoscolices was not significant compared to the negative control group. However, after 4 hours of exposure, 128 and 256 μm of peptide, were significantly decreased the viability of protoscolices (P<0.05). With regard to the results of this study and considering the resistance of the present antiprotoscolics drugs, the CM11 can be used as a relatively effective peptide against protoscolices in future research.