CAS No.:71751-41-2
Avermectin is a series of macrocyclic lactone compounds derived from the fermentation of the soil-dwelling actinomycete bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis. It is primarily renowned for its potent antiparasitic activity.
It works by binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels in the nerve and muscle cells of invertebrates. This enhances the release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), leading to hyperpolarization, paralysis, and eventual death of the parasite. It has a unique target that is largely absent in mammals, contributing to its selective toxicity.
Applications:
Veterinary Medicine: Widely used to treat and prevent internal and external parasites (e.g., nematodes, arthropods like lice and mites) in livestock, pets, and other animals;
Human Medicine: A derivative, Ivermectin, is critically important for combating human parasitic diseases such as river blindness (onchocerciasis) and lymphatic filariasis, significantly impacting global public health;
Agriculture: Used as an insecticide and miticide to control pest insects and mites on various crops.
