AI Summary
The article discusses the development of a new antimalarial agent, DIF-1(+3), which shows promise in combating drug-resistant parasites, particularly Plasmodium falciparum. This research is essential due to the increasing resistance of malaria parasites to current treatments like artemisinin combination therapy. The new agent has the potential to lead to the development of more effective drugs to combat malaria, a disease that continues to be a global health issue, especially in Africa.
Malaria remains a serious health issue globally, especially in Africa. The disease is caused by protozoan parasites in the Plasmodium genus. In 2021, there were 247 million cases of malaria and 619,000 deaths reported worldwide.
At present, the first line of treatment against malaria is artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) and the administration of artemisinin derivatives in combination with other drugs. After the introduction of ACTs in Africa, which accounts for more than 90% of the world’s malaria cases, the number of deaths due to malaria greatly declined in the mid-2000s. However, Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent malaria parasite, is resistant to ACT and has been spreading across Asia and some African countries. Therefore, new antimalarial agents that are effective against drug-resistant parasites are urgently needed.
Fortunately, a team of researchers led by Professor Toshihiro Mita from the Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine at Juntendo University, Japan, and Dr. Yuzuru Kubohara from the Laboratory of Health and Life Science, Graduate School of Health and Sports Science at Juntendo University has developed a promising new antimalarial agent, DIF-1(+3),