Niclosamide is used for the treatment of most tapeworm infections. Helminths (worms) are multicellular organisms that infect very large numbers of humans and cause a broad range of diseases. Over 1 billion people are infected with intestinal nematodes, and many millions are infected with filarial nematodes, flukes, and tapeworms. They are an even greater problem in domestic animals.
Indication
For the treatment of tapeworm and intestinal fluke infections: Taenia saginata (Beef Tapeworm), Taenia solium (Pork Tapeworm), Diphyllobothrium latum (Fish Tapeworm), Fasciolopsis buski (large intestinal fluke). Niclosamide is also used as a molluscicide in the control of schistosomiasis.
Pharmacology
Niclosamide is an antihelminth used against tapeworm infections. It may act by the uncoupling of the electron transport chain to ATP synthase. The disturbance of this crucial metabolic pathway prevents creation of adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP), an essential molecule that supplies energy for metabolism.
Toxicity
Infrequent, mild, and transitory adverse events include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.
Affected Organisms
Helminthic Microorganisms
Absorption
Niclosamide appears to be minimally absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract—neither the drug nor its metabolites have been recovered from the blood or urine.
References
•
Rosenthal Philip J, "Chapter 53. Clinical Pharmacology of the Antihelminthic Drugs" (Chapter). Katzung BG: Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 11e: "http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=4516635":http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=4516635.
•
2010. Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer?. Greenwood Village, CO. Thomson Reuters. ISBN-10: 1-56363-575-5. ISSN: 0740-4174. STAT!Ref Online Electronic Medical Library.
Application Niclosamide is a teniacide in the anthelmintic family. It is effective against cestodes that infect humans. Niclosamide is used to study the Wnt/Frizzled-1 signaling pathway. It is used to inhibit the transcription and DNA binding of NF-κB in AML cells and ito induce apoptosis1. Biochem/physiol Actions Niclosamide is used to study the Wnt/Frizzled-1 signaling pathway. It inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation of parasitic helminths. Niclosamide uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in the tapeworm. It inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation of parasitic helminths. It inhibits the NF-κB pathway in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells. Niclosamide inhibits the transcription and DNA binding of NF-κB. It blocks tumor necrosis factor-induced IκBα phosphorylation, translocation of p65, and expression of NF-κB- regulated genes in AML cells. It increases ROS levels to induce apoptosis in AML cells1.
References
PubChem Literature
From Data Sources
• Rosenthal Philip J, "Chapter 53. Clinical Pharmacology of the Antihelminthic Drugs" (Chapter). Katzung BG: Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 11e: "http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=4516635":http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=4516635.
• 2010. Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer?. Greenwood Village, CO. Thomson Reuters. ISBN-10: 1-56363-575-5. ISSN: 0740-4174. STAT!Ref Online Electronic Medical Library.
