Mar 17, 2006
Worming Out Crystal Structures
The crystal structure of the anthelmintic drug praziquantel used to treat schistosomiasis (also known as bilharziasis or snail fever), has been determined by researchers in Singapore. Their study used the thermal properties of the drug, including melting point phase diagram and solubility, to determine the optimum conditions to allow them to separate its isomers chromatographically and to find the best approach to crystallisation. Such research could lead to improved drugs to treat parasitic infections.
