Target sites of anthelmintics

Parasitology. 1997:114 Suppl:S111-24.

Abstract

This paper reviews sites of action of anthelmintic drugs including: (1) levamisole and pyrantel, which act as agonists at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of nematodes; (2) the avermectins, which potentiate or gate the opening of glutamategated chloride channels found only in invertebrates; (3) piperazine, which acts as an agonist at GABA gated chloride channels on nematode muscle; (4) praziquantel, which increases the permeability of trematode tegument to calcium and results in contraction of the parasite muscle; (5) the benzimidazoles, like thiabendazole, which bind selectively to parasite beta-tubulin and prevents microtubule formation; (6) the proton ionophores, like closantel, which uncouple oxidative phosphorylation; (7) diamphenethide and clorsulon, which selectively inhibit glucose metabolism of Fasciola and; (8) diethylcarbamazine, which appears to interfere with arachidonic acid metabolism of filarial parasites and host. The review concludes with brief comments on the development of anthelmintics in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / pharmacology*
  • Arachidonic Acids / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Ion Channels / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Microtubules / drug effects
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nicotinic Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Permeability / drug effects
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / chemistry

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Ion Channels
  • Nicotinic Antagonists
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • Glucose

Associated data

  • GENBANK/X98600