Mechanism of action
- Eflornithine appears to kill trypanosomes by acting as a suicide inhibitor of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, this enzyme regulates cell division by catalysing the first step in polyamine biosynthesis.
- Eflornithine effects against Trypanosoma brucei gambiense were discovered by chance and because its ability to bring patients back from the coma, it became known as “Resurrection Drug”.