Biotransformation of flubendazole and albendazole in plant cells

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Biochemical Sciences Candidate: Helena Seidlová Supervisor: Prof. RNDr. Lenka Skálová, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Biotransformation of flubendazole and albendazole in plant cells Benzimidazole anthelmintics, the drugs against parasitic worms, are widely used in human as well as in veterinary medicine. Following excretion, these substances may persist in the environment and impact non-target organisms. Phytoremediation might be a suitable method for elimination of anthelmintics from the environment. In order to test detoxification abilities of plants, biotransformation pathways of albendazole (ABZ) and flubendazole (FLU) were studied in reed (Phragmites australis) in vitro. It was found that reed cells were able to uptake and biotransform both anthelmintics. These drugs did not significantly affect viability of the reed cells. Using HPLC/MS 10 ABZ metabolites and 5 FLU metabolites were found. Some atypical biotransformation metabolites (glucosylglucosides, acetylglucosides and xylosylglucosides), which have not been previously reported were identified. Based on the obtained results, the schemes of metabolic pathways of ABZ and FLU in reed were proposed. The amount of main metabolites (reduced FLU, ABZ-sulfoxide,..