Anthelmintic lead compounds and their targets for drug development

Abstract

Helminthiasis is a major health issue worldwide. Over 200 million peoples and 600 million school age children are manifested by these parasites. It is a wide spread neglected tropical decease of developing countries and affect majorly poor peoples. The helminthic parasites weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, tuberculosis, malaria. Trematode (flukes), cestode (tapeworm) and nematodes (round worm) are the members of helminth infection. Ascaris lumbricoides, Nector americanus, Ancyclostoma duodenale and Trichuris trichuria are are the parasites which spread infection without any vector and cause serious complications in lungs and CNS. Schistosoma species (trematodes or flukes) are mainly transmitted by contaminated fresh water. Cestodes (Taenia solium, Taenia saginata) transmit infection through contaminated and uncooked red meat and cyst in different tissue. Cyst in CNS results in pathological changes called neurocysticercosis. Nature is a big store house of remedies for ailments of mankind. Due to toxic effects of synthetic drugs, there’s a great need to invent new bio-active constituents and plants can complete this need effectually.