A small inhibitor identified by researchers from the University of Hyderabad can block an enzyme (Rad51) that plays a crucial role in repairing DNA damage in malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum. The inhibitor, when used along with anti-malaria drugs such as artemisinin, drastically increases the drug's effectiveness in both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant malaria. A small inhibitor that blocks … Continue reading University of Hyderabad’s inhibitor increases effectiveness of malaria drugs
Artemisinin
A novel compound prevents, cures malaria
In a pathbreaking discovery, scientists from New Delhi’s International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and other institutions have isolated a compound that is able to completely clear malaria parasites with just a single, low-dose treatment. The compound acts on all three life stages of the malaria parasite, has prophylactic property … Continue reading A novel compound prevents, cures malaria
Artemisinin resistance dents the anti-malaria armour
The emergence of resistance to the artemisinin drug, a potent anti-malarial medicine, now threatens to affect the big gains achieved in recent years in reducing the global burden of malaria — an estimated 1.2 billion fewer malaria cases and 6.2 million fewer malaria deaths globally between 2001 and 2015. This resistance, to artemisinin, becomes all … Continue reading Artemisinin resistance dents the anti-malaria armour
IISc: Garlic and artemisinin derivative kill malaria parasites
A study carried out by researchers at the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has shown that garlic, well known for its medicinal properties, in the form of oil can complement and improve the efficacy of the widely used artemisinin anti-malarial drug. The combination therapy clears the parasite from mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (a … Continue reading IISc: Garlic and artemisinin derivative kill malaria parasites
Ediorial – Revolutionary therapies
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2015 has been awarded to three scientists for the “revolutionary treatments” they developed for devastating diseases that predominantly affect people in the developing countries. The discovery of the drug ivermectin, a derivative of avermectin, by William Campbell of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, and by Satoshi Ômura … Continue reading Ediorial – Revolutionary therapies
Artemisinin-resistant malaria has emerged in western Thailand
Published in The Hind on April 6, 2012 A team of researchers has sequenced the genome of Plasmodium falciparum and found that 33 regions on the genome appear to be under strong selection for artemisinin resistance. On further scrutiny, the team was able to narrow down to seven specific genes on chromosome 13. This particular … Continue reading Artemisinin-resistant malaria has emerged in western Thailand
New antimalarial agent shows promise
Published in The Hindu on June 17, 2015 A new antimalarial compound (DDD107498) tested on mice and several mosquito species has shown great promise, says a study published today (June 18) in the journal Nature. The agent has all the attributes one would look for in an antimalarial drug — activity extending to multiple lifecycle … Continue reading New antimalarial agent shows promise
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