Antimarial Chemotherapy, Mechanism of Action and Resistance to major Antimalarial Drugs in Clinical Use: A Review

Two Gracilioethers Containing a [2(5H)-Furanylidene]ethanoate Moiety and 9,10-Dihydroplakortone G: New Polyketides from the Caribbean Marine Sponge Plakortis halichondrioides

“…Prior research has consistently highlighted the pivotal role of this specific structural feature in conferring antimalarial activity [36,37]. The endoperoxide ring system is known for its ability to generate reactive oxygen species within the parasite's cells, ultimately leading to the destruction of the malaria-causing pathogen [38][39][40][41]. Hence, the absence of this moiety in compounds 6 and 7 and the mixture of 8 and 9 aligns favorably with the observed lack of activity against the malaria parasite.…”

Advancing liposome technology for innovative strategies against malaria

“…The WHO has approved three classes of antimalarial drugs approved by the WHO namely quinolones, artemisinins, and antifolates ( Mustapha et al, 2020 ). Since the 1940s, quinolone-class drugs, such as chloroquine (CQ), primaquine, and amodiaquine, have been used as primary therapies ( World Health Organization, 2022 ).…”

“…Amodiaquine (AQ) is more effective than CQ in treating malaria caused by P. falciparum in Africa, parts of South America, and Oceania ( Hoffman et al, 2011 ). AQ shares a similar structure and mechanism of action with CQ and is effective against P. falciparum strains that have developed resistance to CQ ( Mustapha et al, 2020 , Parhizgar, 2017 ). However, AQ is not currently used as a prophylactic therapy for malaria because of its severe side effects, including agranulocytosis and hepatitis, which may occur after prolonged use ( Mustapha et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Both enzymes play crucial roles in folate biosynthesis in P. japonica ( Djapa et al, 2007 ). Folate is essential for protein synthesis and the survival of malarial parasites during the erythrocytic and schizogony stages ( Mustapha et al, 2020 ). Class I antifolates include sulphonamides, whereas class II antifolates include pyrimethamines and cycloguanil ( Nzila, 2006 ).…”

Probing the Antiplasmodial Properties of Plakortinic Acids C and D: An Uncommon Pair of Marine Peroxide-Polyketides Isolated from a Two-Sponge Association of Plakortis symbiotica and Xetospongia deweerdtae Collected near Puerto Rico

“…These compounds exhibit remarkable structural arrangements, resulting in various biological activities. Notably, natural products containing cyclic endoperoxides isolated from marine sponges belonging to the genera Plakortis and Plakinastrella have demonstrated significant antiplasmodial activity [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. In pursuing novel therapeutic agents from marine sources, we recently disclosed two unprecedented natural products featuring two cyclic endoperoxide functionalities in their molecular structure.…”