Biomaterial Database

Antifilarials and their mode of action. 1987

D Subrahmanyam

Diethylcarbamazine and suramin are the drugs of choice for the control of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis respectively. Benzimidazoles, ivermectin, furapyrimidone, and isothiocyanates and their derivatives emerge as compounds of potential clinical interest as antifilarials. Diethylcarbamazine is predominantly a microfilaricide affecting the neuromuscular system of the parasites and promotes cellular cytotoxicity mediated by immune factors. Suramin is macrofilaricidal, has a narrow therapeutic index and damages the intestinal epithelium of the worms. Benzimidazoles bind to tubulins and inhibit their assembly to microtubules. Ivermectin is an extremely potent microfilaricide in onchocerciasis; it augments immune responses and impairs the neuromuscular function of the parasites, leading to paralysis. Isothiocyanates and their derivatives are both microfilaricidal and macrofilaricidal and affect the energy metabolism of the parasites. Although the precise mode of action of antifilarial drugs is not established, information is available on the responses listed above and also on the effects of the drugs on the carbohydrate and folate metabolism of the parasites.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008209	Lymphedema	Edema due to obstruction of lymph vessels or disorders of the lymph nodes.	Milroy's Disease,Congenital Familial Lymphedema,Congenital Hereditary Lymphedema,Early Onset Lymphedema,Hereditary Lymphedema,Hereditary Lymphedema 1,Hereditary Lymphedema Type I,Lymphedema, Early-Onset,Lymphedema, Hereditary, Ia,Milroy Disease,Nonne-Milroy Disease,Nonne-Milroy Lymphedema,Nonne-Milroy-Meige Disease,Primary Congenital Lymphedema,Congenital Hereditary Lymphedemas,Congenital Lymphedema, Primary,Congenital Lymphedemas, Primary,Early Onset Lymphedemas,Early-Onset Lymphedema,Early-Onset Lymphedemas,Hereditary Lymphedema 1s,Hereditary Lymphedema, Congenital,Hereditary Lymphedemas,Hereditary Lymphedemas, Congenital,Lymphedema, Congenital Hereditary,Lymphedema, Early Onset,Lymphedema, Hereditary,Lymphedema, Nonne-Milroy,Lymphedema, Primary Congenital,Lymphedemas,Lymphedemas, Congenital Hereditary,Lymphedemas, Early Onset,Lymphedemas, Early-Onset,Lymphedemas, Hereditary,Lymphedemas, Primary Congenital,Milroys Disease,Nonne Milroy Disease,Nonne Milroy Lymphedema,Nonne Milroy Meige Disease,Primary Congenital Lymphedemas
D009855	Onchocerciasis	Infection with nematodes of the genus ONCHOCERCA. Characteristics include the presence of firm subcutaneous nodules filled with adult worms, PRURITUS, and ocular lesions.	Onchocerciases
D004605	Elephantiasis, Filarial	Parasitic infestation of the human lymphatic system by WUCHERERIA BANCROFTI or BRUGIA MALAYI. It is also called lymphatic filariasis.	Bancroftian Elephantiasis,Brugian Filariasis,Brugoa malayi Infection,Elephantiasis, Bancroftian,Filarial Elephantiasis,Filariasis, Lymphatic,Lymphatic Filariasis,Wuchereria bancrofti Infection,Bancroftian Filariasis,Elephantiasis, Malayi,Malayi Filariasis,Bancroftian Elephantiases,Bancroftian Filariases,Brugian Filariases,Brugoa malayi Infections,Filarial Elephantiases,Filariasis, Bancroftian,Filariasis, Brugian,Filariasis, Malayi,Infection, Brugoa malayi,Infection, Wuchereria bancrofti,Lymphatic Filariases,Malayi Elephantiases,Malayi Elephantiasis,Malayi Filariases,Wuchereria bancrofti Infections
D005369	Filaricides	Pharmacological agents destructive to nematodes in the superfamily Filarioidea.
D005370	Filarioidea	A superfamily of nematodes of the order SPIRURIDA. Members possess a filiform body and a mouth surrounded by papillae.	Litomosoides,Filarioideas,Litomosoide
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000871	Anthelmintics	Agents that kill parasitic worms. They are used therapeutically in the treatment of HELMINTHIASIS in man and animal.	Anthelmintic,Antihelmintic,Vermifuge,Vermifuges,Antihelmintics