Pharma & Specialty Chemical Standards

Ascaridole, IUPAC name 1,4-dimethyl-2,5-dihydroxy-3(2H)-furanone, is a cyclic ester (lactone) with molecular formula C6H8O4 and molecular weight 144.12 g/mol. Its structure features a five-membered ring with two hydroxyl groups and methyl substituents. Therapeutically, it targets intestinal nematodes, particularly *Ascaris lumbricoides*. It is a yellowish, volatile oil with low water solubility and a melting point of -15°C. Mechanistically, ascaridole disrupts parasite cell membranes via lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, inducing necrosis. Its activity is attributed to electrophilic attack on thiol groups in parasitic enzymes, impairing metabolic pathways.