Haemonchus contortus protease inhibition by n-alkyl ferulates from Maprounea guianensis

This report describes the inhibition of the proteolytic activity of Haemonchus contortus lysate by a mixture of n-alkyl ferulates isolated from Maprounea guianensis. These compounds were evaluated in vitro for the ability to inhibit the H. contortus proteases using SDS–PAGE copolymerized with gelatine (zymography) and by assaying the hemoglobinolytic activity of these enzymes in solution. The ferulates abrogated the proteolysis compared to E-64, suggesting the activity is the result of a cysteine protease.