A compound from fungi can block a key energy enzyme in parasitic worms, which might make it a good medicine to kill worms without harming humans.
Claim Context
The meroditerpene aszonapyrone A (118), isolated from Neosartorya species, inhibits NADH-fumarate reductase (NFRD) in submitochondrial particles of Ascaris suum with an IC50 of 8.7 µM, suggesting potential as a selective anthelmintic agent since this enzyme is absent in mammalian mitochondria.
“Compounds 118 and 119 displayed moderate activity against NFRD with IC50 values of 8.7 and 72.5 µM, respectively. Since mammals do not have NFRD in their mitochondria, it is expected that a selective NFRD inhibitor could be a good anthelmintic drug candidate”
Evidence from Studies
No evidence studies found yet.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Whether aszonapyrone A effectively treats helminth infections in humans
A double-blind, randomized Phase II trial with 200 patients infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, randomized to receive oral aszonapyrone A (200 mg single dose) or albendazole (400 mg), measuring parasite clearance rate at 21 days by stool examination
Whether treatment with aszonapyrone A is associated with successful deworming
A prospective cohort study following 300 individuals in a helminth-endemic area who receive aszonapyrone A-containing treatment, tracking reinfection rates and adverse events over 12 months
Whether exposure to Neosartorya compounds is associated with lower helminth burden
A matched case-control study of 250 individuals with high helminth load versus 250 with low load, assessing dietary and environmental exposure to fungi and fungal metabolites
The current prevalence of NFRD inhibition among different fungal metabolites
A cross-sectional screening of 200 fungal metabolites against NFRD enzyme activity, measuring IC50 values and selectivity over mammalian NADH oxidase