Schistosomiasis+Sp14


 * Disease/ Drug of Interest: ** Schistosomiasis/Praziquantel


 * Motivational/Background: ** Schistosomiasis is a disease that infects over 200 million people all over the world. It is second to malaria in parasitic diseases. The parasites that cause schistosomiasis live in certain types of freshwater snails. The infectious form of the parasite emerges from a snail. Once it has left the snail it contaminates the water around it. A person becomes infected when the skin comes in contact with the contaminated water. . Most human infections are caused by //Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium//, or //S. japonicum// [4]. The parasite burrows into the skin and invades different organs of the body, where it then matures into an adult. Once it matures it then proceeds to move to a different part of the body which include, the bladder, rectum, intestines, liver, portal venous system (the veins that carry blood from the intestines to liver), spleen, and lungs. Schistosomiasis is not common in the United States. Praziquantel (PZQ)1 is the drug of choice against schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma[1] Although it is not common here in the U.S, a more recent studies show that an estimated 450 million, with a burden on human health similar to that of tuberculosis or malaria [1].


 * Target information: ** Schistosome Calcium (Ca 2+) Channel The cytoplasmic β subunit of high voltage-activated Ca2+ (Cav) channels targets the pore-forming α1 subunit to the plasma membrane and affects its biophysical phenotype [3]
 * Location: ** Plasma membrane of worms.
 * Function in normal cell: ** CaV channels play an important in synaptic transmission, enzyme activity, and gene expression.

Some kinds of fluke infections. Some kinds of tapeworm infections.
 * Drug Information: ** Praziquantel is used to treat infections caused by other parasitic worms such as parasites liver flukes (worms) or schistosoma (blood fluke.

** Schematic Figure: **




 * Formula: ** C19H24N2O2
 * Molecular Weight: ** 312.40606 [g/mol]


 * CAS Number ** : 55268-74-1


 * Delivery method: ** The only method to take Praziquantel is orally in pill form.


 * Side effects: ** Side effects associated with the drug are very rare. The drug is very effective and very little people experience discomfort. Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
 * Bloody diarrhea, stomach pain.
 * Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
 * Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
 * Seizures.
 * Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings.
 * Feeling tired or dizzy.
 * Headache.
 * Mild skin rash, hives, or itching skin.
 * Muscle pain or weakness.
 * Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.
 * Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.
 * Trouble sleeping.
 * Other Names: ** Biltricide, Droncit, Cesol, Pyquiton, Prasiquantel, Traziquantel, Biliricide, Drontsi
 * Maker or Company ** : Merck KGaA
 * Is it patented? : ** Information not available.

[1] Kohn, A. B.; Anderson, P. A.; Roberts-Misterly, J. M.; Greenberg, R. M., Schistosome calcium channel beta subunits. Unusual modulatory effects and potential role in the action of the antischistosomal drug praziquantel. //J Biol Chem// **2001,** //276// (40), 36873-6. [2] Salvador-Recatalà, V.; Greenberg, R. M., Calcium channels of schistosomes: unresolved questions and unexpected answers. //Wiley Interdiscip Rev Membr Transp Signal// **2012,** //1// (1), 85-93. [3 ] [] ) J Biol Chem. 2010 November 12; 285(46): 35878–35888. Published online 2010 September 7.  [4] ( []
 * Clinical Trials: ** Twenty trials have been done on Praziquantel.
 * Origin: ** Worms
 * Alternatives to this drug: ** No alternatives are available
 * Misc.: ** N/A
 * Other uses: ** Praziquantel may also be used for other worm infections as determined by your doctor. However, it will not work for pinworms or other roundworms.
 * References: **