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Table 3 Structure, administration, and the mode of action (presumed) of the main antileishmanial
drugs. (IV, intravenous; IM, intramuscular; per os, oral administration)
Structure
Drug
Administration mode of action
Pentostam (1) IV/IM
interference with
energy metabolism
of parasite,
interference with
parasitic DNA
topoisomerase I
Liposomal
Amphotericin
B (3)
IV
targets ergosterol
in the surface
membrane of
promastigotes and
amastigotes,
increases the
membrane
permeability and
ion influx
Pentamidine
(4)
IV (IM)
interference with
parasite DNA
Miltefosine
(5)
per os (oral)
Interference with
lipid dependent cell
signaling pathways
Ketoconazole
(9)
per os (oral)
Inhibition of the
cytochrome
P450-mediated
14α-demethylation
of lanosterol and
blocking ergosterol
synthesis
Fluconazole
(10)
per os (oral)
(continued)