Lucanthone Explained

Lucanthone is a drug used to treat parasitic diseases such as bilharziasis^[1] and schistosomiasis^[2] It is a prodrug and is converted to the active metabolite hycanthone.^[3]

Mechanism of action

Hycanthone binds to acetylcholine receptors in the worm^[4] and results in increased sensitivity to stimulation by 5-HT causing increase in motility, paired worms are separated and reproduction is stopped. It causes damage of the integument and vitelline duct.

Notes and References

1. Blair DM . Lucanthone hydrochloride; a review . Bulletin of the World Health Organization . 18 . 5–6 . 989–1010 . 1958 . 13573122 . 2537946 .
2. Book: Standen O . Chemotherapy of Helminthic Infections . Schnitzer RJ, Hawking F . Experimental chemotherapy. . 1 . 1963 . Academic Press . New York, New York . 978-1-4832-7308-2 . 770 . https://books.google.com/books?id=3C0SBQAAQBAJ&dq=Lucanthone&pg=PA770.
3. Rosi D, Peruzzotti G, Dennis EW, Berberian DA, Freele H, Tullar BF, Archer S . Hycanthone, a new active metabolite of lucanthone . Journal of Medicinal Chemistry . 10 . 5 . 867–76 . September 1967 . 4963368 . 10.1021/jm00317a025 .
4. Hillman GR, Senft AW . Anticholinergic properties of the antischistosomal drug hycanthone . The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene . 24 . 5 . 827–34 . September 1975 . 1190369 . 10.4269/ajtmh.1975.24.827 .