# Novel Antischistosomal Drug Targets: Identification of Alkaloid Inhibitors of SmTGR via Integrated In Silico Methods

## TL;DR

This study identifies new potential drug candidates from plant alkaloids that could target a key protein in the schistosomiasis parasite.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel in silico approach to identify alkaloids with potential anti-schistosomal activity.

## Key findings

- Fourteen alkaloids were identified with predicted activity against SmTGR ranging from 61.3 to 85.2%.
- Lindoldhamine and daibucarboline A showed the highest potential for SmTGR inhibition with 85.2% and 75.8% probabilities, respectively.

## Abstract

Schistosomiasis mansoni is a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasite Schistosoma mansoni, affecting approximately 200 million people annually. Currently, treatment relies primarily on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ), which shows limited efficacy against the parasite’s immature forms. As a result, Thioredoxin Glutathione Reductase from S. mansoni (SmTGR) has emerged as a promising target for novel drug development. This study presents the development of integrated in silico methods to identify alkaloids from medicinal plants with potential activity against S. mansoni. Fourteen alkaloids were identified, with predicted activity ranging from 61.3 to 85.2%. Among these, lindoldhamine and daibucarboline A demonstrated, for the first time, potential SmTGR inhibition, with probabilities of 85.2% and 75.8%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of these alkaloids as promising candidates for the development of new therapies against schistosomiasis.