Medicinal Chemistry of Antihelmentics: Kim J.B
Medicinal Chemistry of Antihelmentics: Kim J.B
Medicinal Chemistry of Antihelmentics: Kim J.B
OF ANTIHELMENTICS
Kim J.B
• Cestodes (tape worms) - multiple species of flat worms, Taenia saginatum, Taenia
solium(cysticercosis, hydatid(echinococcus)
• Benzimidazole is:
• a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound.
• This bicyclic compound consists of:
• the fusion of benzene and imidazole.
• Many anthelmintic drugs (albendazole, mebendazole, etc) belong to the benzimidazole class
of compounds.
• SAR
• Variation in the position of C-5 results in very active compound
with low toxicity.
• Replacement of NH-CO-CH3 by aromatic ring prevents the metabolic
inactivation.
• USES
• Treatment of roundworm, pinworm, hookworm infection
• Alternative treatment of threadworm, filariasis
• Hydatid disease & cysticercosis
• ADR
• Well tolerated; gastrointestinal side effects are known, prolonged use as in hydatid or in neurocysticercosis causes headache,
alopecia, jaundice, neutropenia.
• MOA:
• Inhibit glucose uptake and microtubule synthesis in nematodes.
• SAR:
• Replacement of the 4-thiazolyl ring system by a methyl carbamate grouping
gave interesting group of anti-helminthes.
• Substitution at 5th position were introduced to prevent metabolic
inactivation.
• USES:
• Primary drug in roundworm and pinworm infection
• ADR:
• GIT upsets, alopecia and agranulocytosis in high dose