ESTABLISHING CHIRONOMUS LARVAE AS AN ETHICALLY SOUND AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR EARLY-STAGE ANTHELMINTIC SCREENING

The escalating global challenge of helminthic infections, compounded by widespread anthelmintic drug resistance and the inherent limitations of traditional in vivo screening models (e.g., high cost, ethical concerns, low throughput), necessitates the urgent development of novel, efficient, and ethically sound drug discovery platforms. This paper proposes and elaborates on the strategic imperative for establishing Chironomus larvae (commonly known as bloodworms) as a robust in vitro model for early-stage anthelmintic efficacy screening. Chironomus species offer a unique confluence of biological and practical advantages.Their rapid life cycle, ease of laboratory cultivation,and remarkable robustness enable high-throughput screening, significantly reducing economic and logistical burdens. Crucially, their comparative physiological and anatomical commonalities with helminths, particularly concerning the chitinous cuticle, complete digestive system,complex nervous system, and conserved detoxification pathways, establish strong biological relevance, enhancing predictive value for identifying compounds active against parasitic worms. As invertebrates, their use aligns perfectly with the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) ethical framework. Leveraging the established precedent of Chironomus larvaein ecotoxicology and its amenability to advanced phenotypic profiling techniques, including high-content imaging and behavioral analysis, allows for detection of both overt and subtle cryptic anthelmintic effects. This multi parametric approach provides comprehensive understanding of bioactivity. By embracing Chironomus larvae, this strategic shift in anthelmintic drug discovery not only addresses critical ethical concerns but also optimizes resource allocation, accelerating the identification of promising natural product candidates, such as those from potent traditionally reported plants that are known to be used for their anthelminthic properties, and contributing to the urgent global need for novel and effective treatments against parasitic helminths.