Nitroheterocyclic drugs with broad spectrum activity

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) Vol. 90; no. S1; pp. S19 - S39
• Main Authors: RAETHER, W, HÄNEL, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.06.2003
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacokinetics; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents - therapeutic use; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antiparasitic agents; Antiprotozoal Agents - adverse effects; Antiprotozoal Agents - pharmacokinetics; Antiprotozoal Agents - pharmacology; Antiprotozoal Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Drug Residues; Drugs, Investigational; Heterocyclic Compounds - adverse effects; Heterocyclic Compounds - pharmacokinetics; Heterocyclic Compounds - pharmacology; Heterocyclic Compounds - therapeutic use; Humans; Medical sciences; Nitro Compounds - adverse effects; Nitro Compounds - pharmacokinetics; Nitro Compounds - pharmacology; Nitro Compounds - therapeutic use; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Protozoan Infections - drug therapy; Protozoan Infections, Animal - drug therapy; Human; Drug; Nitro compound; Protozoa; Protozoal disease; Pharmacological activity; Treatment efficiency; Parasitosis; Infection; Antiprotozoal agent; Chemotherapy; Antibacterial agent; Mechanism of action; Comparative study; Heterocyclic compound
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/s00436-002-0754-9

The group of biologically active nitroheterocyclic compounds includes various 5- and 2-nitroimidazoles and 5-nitrofurans, which can be used as therapeutic agents against a variety of protozoan and bacterial (anaerobic) infections of humans and animals. The current status in the the treatment of giardiasis, trichomoniasis, balantidiasis, histomoniasis, and amebiasis (including infections due to opportunistic amebas) is presented. The most relevant drugs (benznidazole, furazolidone, metronidazole, misonidazole, nifurtimox, nimorazole, nitazoxanide, ornidazole, secnidazole, and tinidazole) are characterized with regard to their chemical, chemotherapeutic, toxicological, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacological properties, including the mechanism of action and resistance in certain parasitic protozoa.