Drug Discovery in Fasciola hepatica: Few Steps in the Last Ten Years

Preview this chapter:

Drug Discovery in Fasciola hepatica: Few Steps in the Last Ten Years, Page 1 of 1

< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/9789815324785/chapter-10-1.gif

Fascioliasis, caused by trematode parasites of the Fasciola spp. remains a significant global health concern, affecting both humans and livestock. This neglected tropical disease, along with other food-borne trematodes, impacts over 10% of the world's population, resulting in substantial economic losses exceeding $3 billion annually in the livestock industry. Since no vaccine has been developed so far, current disease control relies mainly on drugs, particularly triclabendazole, which although effective, faces challenges due to reported resistance in many regions. With Fasciola hepatica being the common fluke, its wide distribution and intricate life cycle, emphasize the importance of understanding parasite epidemiology and biology and addressing drug resistance. However, few efforts have been pursued in the last decade to develop new drugs against fascioliasis. There are different approaches to drug discovery. Screening methodologies may target essential parasite proteins through in silico or in vitro studies, employing protein docking and molecular dynamic simulations. This enables the rapid identification of potential drug candidates for subsequent in vitro or in vivo testing. Alternatively, phenotypic screenings with cultured parasites offer a broader understanding of drug efficacy but present challenges in terms of automation and the unknown mode of action of the drug candidates. Also, drug repurposing has emerged as a promising strategy in recent years. This approach accelerates the drug development process, addressing the lengthy timelines typically associated with bringing novel drugs to the market. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of drug discovery efforts in the last ten years for fascioliasis treatment. In-depth discussions on drugs targeting specific F. hepatica molecular components are presented followed by phenotypic screenings with synthetic and natural compounds. The chapter concludes with a review of some scarce initiatives in drug repurposing, providing an overview of the various strategies employed to address drug discovery in fascioliasis.