Lucanthone
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lucanthone (Miracil D, Myracyl D) is a drug used to treat parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis,[1][2][3] which was invented in 1938 by Hans Mauss and colleagues at Bayer AG.[4][5] It is a prodrug and is converted to the active metabolite hycanthone.[6][7] It is no longer commonly used in humans due to hepatotoxicity,[8] especially after the subsequent development of safer drugs with similar efficacy such as praziquantel.
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.006.849 |
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| Formula | C20H24N2OS |
| Molar mass | 340.49 g·mol−1 |
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Mechanism of action
Hycanthone binds to acetylcholine receptors in the worm[9] 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.
Research
Lucanthone also shows anti-cancer activity, and while it has never been approved for medical use as a chemotherapy drug due to its toxicity, it has been tested in human clinical trials as an adjuvant therapy to increase the effectiveness of other chemotherapy medications, and continues to be used in cancer research.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]
