2. Academic Validation
  3. Antiparasitic activity of ivermectin: Four decades of research into a "wonder drug"

Antiparasitic activity of ivermectin: Four decades of research into a "wonder drug"

  • Eur J Med Chem. 2023 Dec 5:261:115838. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115838.
Michał Sulik 1,  Michał Antoszczak 1,  Adam Huczyński 2,  Dietmar Steverding 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61‒614, Poznań, Poland.
  • 2 Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61‒614, Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 3 Bob Champion Research & Education Building, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
PMID: 37793327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115838
Abstract

Parasitic diseases still pose a serious threat to human and animal health, particularly for millions of people and their livelihoods in low-income countries. Therefore, research into the development of effective antiparasitic drugs remains a priority. Ivermectin, a sixteen-membered macrocyclic lactone, exhibits a broad spectrum of antiparasitic activities, which, combined with its low toxicity, has allowed the drug to be widely used in the treatment of parasitic diseases affecting humans and Animals. In addition to its licensed use against river blindness and strongyloidiasis in humans, and against roundworm and arthropod infestations in Animals, ivermectin is also used "off-label" to treat many Other worm-related parasitic diseases, particularly in domestic Animals. In addition, several experimental studies indicate that ivermectin displays also potent activity against viruses, bacteria, protozoans, trematodes, and insects. This review article summarizes the last 40 years of research on the antiparasitic effects of ivermectin, and the use of the drug in the treatment of parasitic diseases in humans and Animals.

Keywords

Antiparasitic activity; Experimental use; Ivermectin; Licensed use; “Off-label” use.

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