Ingredient in Soap Points Toward New Drugs for Infection That Affects Two Billion
Date: 14.10.2010
The antibacterial ingredient in some soaps, toothpastes, odor-fighting socks, and even computer keyboards is pointing scientists toward a long-sought new treatment for a parasitic disease.
People can catch the infection, spread by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), from contact with feces from infected cats, eating raw or undercooked meat, and in other ways. It can cause eye damage and other problems, even becoming life threatening in individuals with immune systems weakened by certain medications and diseases.
The scientists knew from past research that triclosan has a powerful effect in blocking the action of a key enzyme that T. gondii uses to live. Triclosan, however, cannot be used as a medication because it does not dissolve in the blood. The scientists describe using triclosan's molecular structure as the model for developing other potential medications, including some that show promise as more effective treatments for the disease.
Original Paper:
Suresh K. Tipparaju, Stephen P. Muench, Ernest J. Mui, Sergey N. Ruzheinikov, Jeffrey Z. Lu, Samuel L. Hutson, Michael J. Kirisits, Sean T. Prigge, Craig W. Roberts, Fiona L. Henriquez, Alan P. Kozikowski, David W. Rice, Rima L. McLeod. Identification and Development of Novel Inhibitors ofToxoplasma gondiiEnoyl Reductase. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2010; 53 (17): 6287 DOI: 10.1021/jm9017724
For more information:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100922121953.htm
