albendazole sulphoxide

Albendazole sulphoxide is the **active metabolite** of the prodrug albendazole, a benzimidazole class antihelminthic. Upon oral administration of albendazole, it is rapidly converted in the liver to the sulfoxide metabolite before reaching systemic circulation. The pharmacological activity is primarily due to albendazole sulphoxide, which exhibits selective toxicity against various parasitic helminths by binding to the β-tubulin subunit in parasite microtubules, thereby inhibiting microtubule polymerization. This disrupts glucose uptake and depletes glycogen stores, leading to energy depletion, immobilization, and death of the parasite. The metabolite is active against organisms such as Taenia solium (pork tapeworm, notably in neurocysticercosis) and Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid disease). Pharmacologically, the (+)-(R)-enantiomer of albendazole sulfoxide appears to have greater antiparasitic potency. The compound distributes widely to plasma, bile, liver, cyst wall, cyst fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid, and is 70% plasma protein-bound[1][3][5].

Other names

albendazole sulfoxidealbendazol sulfoxidericobendazole