ivermectin

A macrocyclic lactone derived from Streptomyces avermitilis with antiparasitic activity. Ivermectin exerts its anthelmintic effect via activating glutamate-gated chloride channels expressed on nematode neurons and pharyngeal muscle cells. Distinct from the channel opening induced by endogenous glutamate transmitter, ivermectin-activated channels open very slowly but essentially irreversibly. As a result, neurons or muscle cells remain at either hyperpolarisation or depolarization state, thereby resulting in paralysis and death of the parasites. Ivermectin does not readily pass the mammal blood-brain barrier to the central nervous system where glutamate-gated chloride channels locate, hence the hosts are relatively resistant to the effects of this agent.