Use of Metabolomics Approach in the Discovery of Active Compounds from Macroalgae Laurencia Species Against Schistosomiasis.

Background: Marine macroalgae has been studied by our research group as alternative sources of bioactive compounds with promising antiparasitic activity, particularly against Schistosoma mansoni. Objectives: This study aimed to employ a metabolomics-based approach to identify anthelminthic active compounds from the macroalgae Laurencia aldingensis Saito and Womersley 1974 and Laurencia dendroidea J. Agardh 1852. Methods: The algae were extracted using a dichloromethane/methanol mixture, followed by liquid-liquid partitioning and sequential chromatographic fractionation using solvents of varying polarities. The resulting fractions were tested for biological activity against adult Schistosoma mansoni worms. Detailed chemical characterization of the extracts was conducted via HPLC-DAD-MS/MS, with subsequent data alignment and statistical analysis (Pearson correlation) to associate specific chemical compounds with the observed bioactivity. Results: Non-polar fractions (hexane and dichloromethane) exhibited significant anthelminthic activity, substantially reducing parasite viability and reproduction. Specific subfractions obtained from the dichloromethane fraction demonstrated notable activity. Metabolomic analysis revealed considerable chemical diversity, emphasizing the presence of bromophenols and halogenated sesquiterpenes, including potentially novel compounds with therapeutic potential against schistosomiasis. Conclusions: The metabolomics approach proved effective in identifying promising bioactive compounds from Laurencia spp. macroalgae with activity against S. mansoni.