Fenbendazole is an antiparasitic drug used to treat a variety of intestinal parasites. It has shown significant efficacy against a range of organisms including Strongyloides, Toxcara galli, and Moniezia spp. However, it can cause unpleasant side effects in some animals. It should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergies. It can also cause vomiting and sometimes lead to dead worms in the stool. It is available in granules, suspensions, and paste.
In laboratory experiments, Fenbendazole has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. It works by reactivating p53, a tumor suppressor protein. Several cancers suppress this gene. Fenbendazole can also inhibit tumor growth by increasing reactive oxygen species and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In addition, it decreases mitochondrial membrane potential.
In a study with EMT6 cells, fenbendazole treatment reduced cell viability and reduced cell numbers. In addition, the drug reduced cell numbers and inhibited clonogenicity. However, it did not affect aerobic EMT6 cell growth. Its cytotoxic and cytostatic effects were also noted.
Fenbendazole is an antiparasitic that acts on helminthes through binding to tubulin. This disrupts the microtubule equilibrium, leading to the detachment of the parasite from the host. While fenbendazole is used for many purposes in agriculture, it is also used to treat a range of parasitic infections in humans.
Fenbendazole is known to inhibit the growth of tumors caused by EMT6 mutations in BALB/c mice. It has been used to treat nematode infections in laboratory rodent colonies. However, there is some evidence that fenbendazole may cause hepatotoxicity. In one study, mice were fed either a fenbendazole or a placebo diet for seven days. Mice were then treated with acetaminophen (300 mg/kg), a hepatotoxin-like substance. The combination of acetaminophen and fenbendazole caused centrilobular hepatic necrosis and increased transaminases.
Fenbendazole also inhibits the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting microtubules and interfering with the function of the proteasome. It also blocks the uptake of glucose by cancer cells. Further, it reduces the expression of the hexokinase and Glut-4 transporter. Therefore, fenbendazole may be a useful addition to chemotherapy treatments.
It has also been shown that fenbendazol inhibits the activity of the proteasome and induces endoplasmic reticulum stress. This suggests that it may represent a new class of anticancer drugs with selectivity toward cancer cells. However, more studies are required to confirm this.
The drug Fenbendazole is sold under several brand names. It is available in a variety of forms, including oral tablets and liquids. Panacur C, a popular canine dewormer, contains 22.2 percent Fenbendazole. Other brands include Safe-Guard suspension and Tropical Fish Fenbendazole.