Thioredoxin Reductase and Its Role as a New Drug Target

Abstract

Amebiasis causes approximately 70,000 deaths annually and is the fourth cause of death from protozoan parasites in the world. It is treated primarily with metronidazole, which has adverse side effects and is mutagenic and carcinogenic. Also, emergence of metronidazole resistance is an increasing concern. Unfortunately, better therapeutic alternatives are lacking. Drug discovery efforts have led to reprofiling of older FDA-approved drugs. This approach is advantageous because safety and pharmacokinetic effects in humans have already been confirmed clinically and approved for use.