Ferroquine (Ferrochloroquine) is a ferrocenyl analogue of Chloroquine with antimalarial activity. Ferroquine induces oxidative stress and the subsequent destruction of the membrane, resulting in parasiticidal effect on Plasmodium.

All newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) exposed to 33.3 µM hydroxyl-ferroquine (FQ-OH), Ferroquine (FQ), and Ruthenoquine (RQ) displays strongly decrease liabilities, after 24 hours post-incubation. All NTS exposed to 33.3 µM RQ have died, while Ferroquine and FQ-OH treated worms are strongly affected but still alive, after 72 hours post-incubation [1].

Ferroquine (200 and 800 mg/kg; mice ) treatment, displays low total worm burden reductions of 19.4% and 35.6%. One of the mice treated with 800 mg/kg Ferroquine died within 24 hours post-treatment. No activity is observed treating mice with Ruthenoquine at 200 mg/kg. Hence, modification of Chloroquine (CQ) by a ferrocenyl or ruthenocenyl fragment does not increase the antischistosomal properties of CQ. A total worm burden reduction of 17.3% is observed following treatment with hydroxyl-ferroquine. Furthermore, in one of the hydroxyl-ferroquine treated mice many dead worms are recovered and a hepatic shift (i.e. worms migrating to the liver) observed. Hence, Ferroquine and hydroxyl-ferroquine show weak antischistosomal activity in vivo[1].