Structure-Based Study of Natural Products with Anti-Schistosoma Activity.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic protozoal disease caused by flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. Although the disease threatens millions of lives, it is still at the top list of neglected tropical diseases and praziquantel, the only common schistosocidal drug in use, has records of decreasing efficiency and cases of resistance. Also, reports revealed that people in the rural areas, who are most affected, rely mostly on traditional herbal medicines because of limited access to modern healthcare.