Title:Antimalarials: Molecular Drug Targets and Mechanism of Action
Volume: 17
Issue: 19
Author(s): Angela O. Achieng, Manmeet Rawat, Bernhards Ogutu, Bernard Guyah, John Michael Ong'echa, Douglas J. Perkins and Prakasha Kempaiah*
Affiliation:
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, MSC10-5550, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001,United States
Keywords:
Malaria, antimalarials, P. falciparum, Drug-resistance, Chemotypes, Sporozoites.
Abstract: Background: Despite a reduction in the global burden of malaria, the disease remains responsible
for 214 million cases and 438,000 deaths annually with 88% of the mortality occurring in
sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria control largely depends on effective chemotherapy. However, the historic
and current emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant parasite strains provides significant
challenges to malaria control and consequently, reduction of malaria-associated morbidity and mortality.
Combating parasite drug resistance requires pharmacological compounds that target both
known and novel metabolic pathways that are crucial for parasite survival. In addition, the identification
of novel therapeutic agents that target distinct molecular pathways, apart from those of the conventional
antimalarials, offers an approach for minimizing drug resistance.
Conclusion: This review summarizes current anti-malarial approaches and strategies, therapeutic efficacy
for conventional and non-conventional antimalarials, parasitic targets, and the mechanisms responsible
for the development of drug resistance.
