The role of haem in the mechanism of action of antimalarials in Plasmodium falciparum

The malaria parasite detoxifies host red blood cell derived haem by conversion into the inert biocrystal haemozoin. Inhibiting this critical pathway is proposed to be the mechanism of action of chloroquine and related antimalarials and several studies have linked inhibition of the formation of synthetic haemozoin, β-haematin, to parasite survival. However, haemozoin inhibition with a dose related increase in "free" haem correlated to decreased survival has not been demonstrated in the parasite. This project investigated the role of haem in the mechanism of action of several clinically relevant and novel antimalarials in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Division of Clinical Pharmacology

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Combrinck, Jill Michelle

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Egan, Timothy J
• Smith, Peter

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22760

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/22760