Exploring the Recent Pioneering Developments of Small Molecules in Antimalarial Drug Armamentarium: A Chemistry Prospective Appraisal

Abstract

Malaria is a very destructive and lethal parasitic disease that causes significant mortality worldwide, resulting in the loss of millions of lives annually. The uncontrolled intake of antimalarial drugs often employed in clinical settings has resulted in the emergence of numerous strains of plasmodium that are resistant to these drugs, including multidrug‐resistant strains. Hence, there is an urgent need for developing unique classes of antimalarial drugs that function with distinct mechanisms of action. In this context, the design and development of hybrid compounds that combine pharmacophoric properties from different lead molecules into a single unit gives a unique perspective towards further development of malaria drugs in the next generation. In light of this, we have reviewed the progress of hybrid antimalarial agents from 2021 up to the present. This manuscript presents a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the medicinal chemistry pertaining to small molecules, with a specific focus on their potential as antimalarial agents. This review explores a variety of physiologically active compounds that have been described in the literature in order to lay a strong foundation for the logical design and eventual identification of antimalarial drugs based on lead frameworks.