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The Sound of Evolution
Sodium stibogluconate
Mechanism of action:
Sodium stibogluconate is a pentavalent antimony (Sb5+) compound. After entering Leishmania parasites or host macrophages, sodium stibogluconate is reduced to trivalent antimony (Sb3+), which is considered the actual active toxic form. Trivalent antimony interferes with parasite glycolysis, ATP production, and thiol-related enzyme systems, leading to energy depletion and an inability of the parasite to maintain survival.
Reference(s):
Murray HW et al. (2005). Advances in leishmaniasis. Lancet.
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