Fenbendazole is a widely used benzimidazole anthelmintic for gastrointestinal parasites, such as pinworms, giardia, roundworms, hookworms and Taenia solium. It also exerts polymerization inhibitory effects on tubulin, the components of microtubules, and can be used in conjunction with cytotoxic anticancer drugs.
Three daily injections of fenbendazole did not alter the growth of unirradiated EMT6 tumors in mice. This finding was confirmed by examining the time to four-fold tumor volume in three independent experiments.
Anthelmintic
Fenbendazole is an antiparasitic drug that acts by binding to tubulin and disrupting the equilibrium of microtubules. It is also effective in inhibiting cell growth and affecting cell cycles. It is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic that is effective against parasites in many animals, including giardia, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, the tapeworm genus Taenia (but not Dipylidium caninum), pinworms, and lungworms.
It is available in capsules and liquid solutions. It is usually prescribed to dogs and cats as a deworming medication. It is usually given daily for three days or as directed by a veterinarian. The recommended dose varies by weight. In some cases, it is combined with other medications such as vitamins to enhance its activity and reduce side effects. It can be stored at room temperature and should be kept away from sunlight. In addition, it is important to inform your veterinarian about any other medications your pet may be taking. This will help ensure that the dosage is correct.
Antitumor
Fenbendazole, also known as methiazole, is a dewormer that has been shown to have anti-tumor effects. It inhibits the formation of microtubules in cancer cells and suppresses cell-cycle progression. It also increases p53 levels, which is required for tumor control. This drug is being used as an alternative to chemotherapy in some patients.
This drug has been tested in a number of animal models and has been found to be effective against cancer. When fenbendazole was administered to mice with human lung adenocarcinoma, the tumors were significantly smaller than those of untreated mice. This was not the case in unirradiated mice, but the effect was observed when fenbendazole was combined with radiation or docetaxel.
It is important to note that this research is preliminary, and the results are not conclusive. However, it is a promising start. The findings suggest that a combination of anthelmintics and immune-boosting vitamins could be an effective treatment for cancer. These supplements include vitamin E, curcumin, and fenbendazole.
Immunosuppressant
Fenbendazole, a benzimidazole-class compound, has been used for decades as an antihelmintic to treat parasitic infections in domestic animals. Recent studies have shown that it exhibits antitumor and immunosuppressive activities. Its mechanisms of action are similar to those of hypoxia-selective nitroheterocyclic cytotoxins and radiation sensitizers. In addition, it appears to enhance the effects of these agents on cancer cells.
In MDBK cell cultures, fenbendazole at concentrations of 20, 80, and 120 nM reduced BoHV-1 productive infection by approximately 1.5- and 2.1-log compared to the control (Fig. 1A). This effect was due to a reduction in IE gene transcription and the synthesis of IE-associated proteins.
Fenbendazole also decreases inflammatory cell activity in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model. This decrease in inflammation is associated with a decrease in eosinophil levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which leads to decreased goblet cell activity and less bronchial hyperresponsiveness. In addition, fenbendazole reduces the production of Th2-derived cytokines and inhibits activation of CD4+ T cells.
Antiviral
In addition to its anti-helminthic effects, fenbendazole has been found to inhibit certain viral pathogens. It also shows a potential metabolic-regulating effect, with animal studies indicating improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. In a recent study, fenbendazole reduced tumor growth in lung cancer patients. However, the effect was limited to irradiated tumors and did not extend to non-irradiated ones. The results indicate that fenbendazole has multiple antifungal properties and should be investigated further.
MDBK cells pretreated with DMSO control or fenbendazole for one hour were then mock-infected or infected with BoHV-1 at an MOI of 1. Cells were harvested after 24 h and cell lysates were prepared using RIPA buffer (1 x PBS, 1% NP-40, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS) supplemented with protease inhibitor cocktail. The lysates were then subjected to Western blot analysis using the indicated antibodies. Virus production was reduced by fenbendazole at concentrations of 20 and 80 nM at both 12 and 24 h after infection, compared to the DMSO control.fenbendazole capsules
