Mebendazole in parasitic infections other than those caused by soil-transmitted helminths

Abstract

Mebendazole, a benzimidazole carbamate compound, is currently in use for human medical practice against soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and enterobiasis. However, it has been demonstrated that its spectrum of activity is broad and goes beyond those infections. Several studies provide evidence that this drug, taken at higher doses than used for STH and enterobiasis, could be sufficiently effective on some protozoa, nematodes and cestodes.

Drug repurposing and human parasitic protozoan diseases

“…Although potentially complicated by library bias, it is perhaps not surprising that antibiotics and antifungals, together with tubulin inhibitors, are highly represented in these hits. As discussed above (Section 3), antibiotics have a history of repurposing success for diseases such as malaria, and drugs such as the benzimidazoles target tubulin in the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia and are also active against P. falciparum (Skinner-Adams et al, 1997), helminths and other parasite pathogens of humans (Canete et al, 2009). Data in Fig.…”

Synthèse et criblage antiplasmodial de quelques benzimidazolyl-chalcones

“…Quant au benzimidazole, du fait de son analogie structurale avec la purine, il constitue le noyau diaza-hétérocyclique de très nombreux médicaments notamment des médicaments anthelminthiques (Jacobs et Taylor, 2001). Par ailleurs, l'on lui attribue des propriétés antiplasmodiales intéressantes depuis les essais de criblage systématique des benzimidazolés anthelminthiques (Mebendazole, Albendazole) (Dow et al, 2000;Canete et al, 2009) (Figure 1), et surtout de celui de l'Astémizole (Figure 1), médicament antihistaminique (Chong et al, 2006). Aussi, nous proposons dans ce travail, la synthèse puis l'évaluation des activités antiplasmodiales de nouveaux hybrides de chalcones obtenus par suite de la juxtaposition du benzimidazole en sa position 2 avec l'enchaînement arylpropénone des chalcones .…”

Deworming Campaign in Eastern Afghanistan – Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Adoption of Treatment Strategy

“…Owing to high prevalence of multiple infections (nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, protozoa) in the Afghan community, it seems that a mass deworming campaign with a single-dose chemotherapy (albendazole 400 mg or mebendazole 500 mg) may prove ineffective in eradicating intestinal parasites in the local population. The effectiveness of deworming may be enhanced by increasing the dosage of albendazole (400 mg for three-five days) [28,29] or mebendazole (600 mg for three days) [30] or usage of complex therapy (albendazole 400 mg one dose, metronidazole 250 mg three times daily for five days, praziquantel 5-25 mg/kg one dose), which, considering the low cost of the medications, seems an acceptable form of the antiparasitic therapy.…”