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The Sound of Evolution
Clotrimazole
Mechanism of action:
Clotrimazole is an imidazole derivative. Clotrimazole inhibits fungal lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51A1), the enzyme responsible for converting lanosterol into ergosterol. When this step is blocked, the fungal cell membrane becomes structurally incomplete, and lanosterol accumulates because it can no longer be converted, leading to toxicity. As a result, fungal growth is inhibited or the fungus dies.
Reference(s):
1. Ritter W et al. (1985). Pharmacokinetic fundamentals of vaginal treatment with clotrimazole. Am J Obstet Gynecol.
2. Crowley PD et al. (2014). Clotrimazole as a pharmaceutical: past, present and future. J Appl Microbiol.
3. S K et al. (2014). Clotrimazole as a cancer drug: a short review. Med Chem (Los Angeles).
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