Diethylcarbamazine Citrate Salt is an anthelmintic drug specific to a few species of parasites. It is commonly used as a combination treatment to target multiple stages of the parasite life cycle. It is used to treat pathogens in large-scale world health initiatives. It can be used against parasitic nematodes (roundworms) causing a filarial infection called filariasis.
Diethylcarbamazine was discovered in 1947 by Yellapragada Subbarow, the Indian biochemist who also discovered the role of adenosine triphosphate(ATP) in the cell.
Structurally, Diethylcarbamazine does not resemble other antiparasitic compounds. It is a synthetic organic compound which is highly specific for several parasites and does not contain any toxic metallic elements.
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| Mechanism of Action |
The mechanism of action of Diethylcarbamazine is not fully understood. It is thought to involve sensitizing the microfilariae to phagocytosis. In Brugia malayi microfilariae is dependent on inducible nitric-oxide synthase and the cyclooxygenase pathway. I In vivo, authors found that its mechanism of action is has effects on the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, cyclooxygenase pathway and COX-1. |
| Spectrum | Diethylcarbamazine is used against the parasites causing certain filarial diseases, including tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, loiasis, and lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or B.timori. |
| Molecular Formula | C10H21N3O · C6H8O7 |
| References |
Busvine J (2012) Disease transmission by insects: Its discovery and 90 years of effort to prevent it. Springer Science & Business Media p 260. ISBN 978-3642-45716-6 Fernando SD, Rodrigo C and Rajapakse S (2011). Current evidence on the use of antifilarial agents in the management of bancroftian filariasis. J, Trop. Med. 1-12. doi:10.1155/2011/175941 |
