Old drug repurposing for neglected disease: Pyronaridine as a promising candidate for the treatment of Echinococcus granulosus infections.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a condition caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto, is a globally distributed zoonotic disease. Current treatment options for CE are limited, and an effective and safe anti-echinococcal drug is urgently required.

Methods

Drug repurposing strategy was employed to identify new therapeutic agents against echinococcal cysts. An in vitro protoscolicidal assay along with in vivo murine models was applied in the drug screening. A microinjection procedure was employed to mimic the clinical PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection and reaspiration) technique to evaluate the potential application of the candidate drug in clinical practice.

Findings

We repurposed pyronaridine, an approved antimalar

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7152711 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature