Discussion
The devastating effects of onchocerciasis have continued to be more and more visible, ranging from human pain and suffering, to huge economic losses. It is one of the neglected tropical diseases with over 37 million persons affected and a risk population of over 120 million, with over 95% of this population in Africa. Ivermectin, the only drug of choice for mass drug administration programs is only microfilaricidal, requiring long treatment duration and has severe side effects in cases of
Loa loa co-infection. Also, many endemic zones of Africa are hard hit by wars and insecurity, thereby frustrating the WHO MDA programs. The onchocerciasis burden is made worse by there being no drug effective against macrofilariae thereby necessitating the search for safe and more effective drug leads. There is growing interest in emodepside as DNDi receives USD 20 million to accelerate the development of innovative new drugs for onchocerciasis elimination. Our previous work demonstrated that Schiff base complexes derived from isoniazid were potential macrofilaricides, active against adult female worms at IC
50 values less than 10 μg/mL. In continuation of our investigation on this class of compounds, we are currently studying the anti-onchocercal activities of an expanded library of compounds and their metal complexes designed for superior solubility.
Keywords: Onchocerciasis, Schiff bases, metal complexes, macrofilaricides, Loa loa.
