Antiprotozoal agents from plant sources
1Department of Pharmacognosy, The School of Pharmacy University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
Planta Medica
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Protozoa cause tropical diseases like malaria. Researchers are exploring plant-derived compounds as potential new treatments for these parasitic infections.
Area of Science:
- Tropical medicine
- Parasitology
- Pharmacognosy
Background:
- Protozoa are causative agents of significant tropical diseases.
- Diseases include amoebiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, and trypanosomiasis.
- Current treatments face challenges, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of plant-derived compounds for treating protozoan infections.
- To highlight the need for new anti-protozoal drugs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on ethnobotany and anti-protozoal drug discovery.
- Analysis of plant secondary metabolites with known biological activity.
Main Results:
- Plants represent a rich source of diverse chemical structures.
- Several plant species have demonstrated efficacy against protozoan parasites in preliminary studies.
- Phytochemicals offer a promising avenue for developing new anti-protozoal agents.
Conclusions:
- Plant-based medicines hold significant potential for developing novel drugs against tropical protozoan diseases.
- Further research into phytochemicals is crucial for addressing unmet medical needs in tropical medicine.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Anthelminthic Agents
Anthelmintic drugs differ significantly from antiparasitic therapies targeting protozoa, primarily due to differences in parasite biology. Whereas most protozoal treatments act on proliferating cells, anthelmintics are typically directed against mature, nonproliferative helminths. The therapeutic approach considers the helminth's reliance on neuromuscular coordination, glucose metabolism, and microtubular integrity for survival, reproduction, and localization within the host. Most anthelmintics...
01:21Antiprotozoal Agents
Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by several Leishmania species. It affects millions of people each year and remains a major public health problem in endemic regions. First-line treatment relies on pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate. Even so, how these drugs work has not been fully clear, especially their interaction with parasite-specific biochemical pathways. One key target is trypanothione reductase (TR), an enzyme that...
01:15Antifungal Agents
Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
01:27Overview of Protists
Protists are diverse eukaryotic microorganisms that lack the specialized tissues of plants and animals and the chitinous cell walls of fungi. Their early divergence within Eukarya resulted in structural, functional, and ecological diversity. They are classified into supergroups such as Archaeplastida, Excavata, Amoebozoa, Rhizaria, Alveolata, and Stramenopiles, determined through genetic analysis and structural similarities.Structural and Functional AdaptationsProtists have various adaptations...
01:27Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
01:20Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents
Diarrhea is characterized by the occurrence of frequent, watery bowel movements. Various factors can trigger diarrhea, including viral or bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, side effects from certain medications, and underlying digestive disorders. If not adequately managed, diarrhea can lead to complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies. Severe diarrhea can lead to significant weight loss, malnutrition, and weakened immune function.
Adsorbents...
Adsorbents...