Design, synthesis and evaluation of potential dual drugs targeting the haemoglobin degradation pathway in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

For many years malaria has been a major cause of human suffering. Despite significant advances in understanding the disease and the parasite, malaria still remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly in the tropics. Approximately 500 million people are afflicted and almost 3 million people die from the disease annually. Of the four causative species, Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal. Recent trends indicate rapid emergence of drug-resistent and more virulent strains of the parasite to further intensify the problem. The choice of therapies currently available for the treatment of malaria is highly limited, and several of these may eventually be lost or compromised due to drug resistance. New antimalarial drugs with proven clinical efficacy against current drug-resistance cases of malaria including Plasmodium falciparum infections is critical to combact the disease and cope with the problem of further development or resistance.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Chemistry

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• October, Natasha

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Chibale, Kelly

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6353

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/6353