Ivermectin and non-parasitic disorders: An update.

Abstract

Ivermectin, a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent, demonstrates potential therapeutic benefits in treating non-parasitic ailments, particularly in neurological, respiratory, inflammatory, dermal, cardiovascular, and neoplastic disorders. For instance, ivermectin targets both DNA and RNA viruses, inhibits angiogenesis, and has anti-cancer properties, which result from inhibiting RNA helicase, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy, as well as promoting oxidative stress. While the precise neurological impacts of ivermectin are not fully understood, it also has anticonvulsant properties in rats. Recent discoveries have revealed the neuroprotective effects of ivermectin in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and Alzheimer's disease. Although there is limited research on the influence of ivermectin on the cardiovascular system, some studies have reported cardioprotective effects of ivermectin. However, a recent study suggested that ivermectin pre-treatment may have detrimental effects on myocardial ischemia. Consequently, numerous questions regarding the therapeutic/adverse effects of ivermectin remain unanswered and necessitate further investigation. We review the effects of ivermectin in non-parasitic diseases with an emphasis on current research in this field.