Discovery of small molecules with anthelmintic potential in the Medicines for Malaria Venture's COVID and Global Health Priority Boxes using an infrared-based assay for Caenorhabditis elegans motility.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Parasitic nematodes are a public health problem globally, and an economic burden on animal and plant agricultural industries. With their ability to generate drug resistance, new anthelmintic compounds must be constantly sourced.

Methods

Using the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, in an infrared-based motility assay, we screened 400 compounds from two open-source, small-molecule collections distributed by the Medicines for Malaria Venture, namely, the COVID Box and Global Health Priority Box. The screening assay was first validated for worm number, DMSO concentration and final volume.

Results

Primary and secondary (time- and concentration-dependent) screens of both boxes, identified twelve compounds as hits; nine of which are known anthelmintics.

SUBMITTER: Sun YU 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12502323 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature