Chemical and pharmacological characterization of anthelmintic benzimidazoles

Abstract Benzimidazoles, which interfere with the complex life cycle of worms, are essential in the treatment of helminthiasis. Four benzimidazole antihelmintics have been used in human therapy: albendazole, mebendazole, thiabendazole, triclabendazole. The history, representatives, synthesis, physicochemical properties, structure-activity relationships of anthelmintic benzimidazoles are presented in the review, as well as the pharmacological properties and mechanism of action of these agents. In the last decade, benzimidazole carbamate-structured anthelmintics have also been studied for their antitumor activity.