Indian scientists successfully conduct animal trial of drug for malaria

The scientists claimed that Griseofulvin, an antifungal drug if administered, with the existing frontline artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) would help prevent malaria mortality

Published on: Feb 23, 2023, 10:42:25 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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In a major breakthrough, scientists of Bhubaneswar-based Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) claimed to have achieved a successful trial of an anti-fungal drug that has the potential to bring down malaria mortality.

The scientists are now gearing up for human trials of the drug. (istockphoto)

The scientists led by Dr Viswanathan Arun Nagaraj of ILS, an autonomous institute under department of biotechnology, claimed that Griseofulvin, an antifungal drug if administered, with the existing frontline artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) would help prevent malaria mortality.

ACT is recommended for the treatment of plasmodium falciparum malaria.

The malaria parasite after entering the red blood cells of animals degrades vast amounts of hemoglobin, the protein that helps bind oxygen with blood.

Also Read: Cancer drugs could potentially be used to fight Malaria: Research

During the degradation of the haemoglobin, an organic molecule named heme is released. The excess heme is converted into hemozoin, the parasite pigment in infected person’s blood which is responsible for disease severity.

A scientist, who is part of the research said targeting parasite heme with Griseofulvin prevented cerebral and severe malaria.

“Parasites lacking the ability to make heme generate less hemozoin, and do not cause cerebral and severe malaria in animals. Griseofulvin is a less-expensive and safe drug that is widely used to treat fungal infections in children and adults. Repurposing griseofulvin as an adjunct drug for malaria along with the existing ACT would help prevent malaria mortality,” he said.

The findings of the research have been peer-reviewed and published in “Nature” journal.

The scientists are now gearing up for human trials of the drug.

Malaria remains a major global health concern causing about 24.1 crore cases and 6.27 lakh deaths globally in 2022.

The most vulnerable populations include children under five years of age and pregnant women. Despite the intense global efforts to eliminate malaria, there is no significant reduction in the global incidence.

The situation is further worsened by the emergence of drug resistance in parasites and insecticide resistance in mosquitoes.

Falciparum malaria is the most virulent form of malaria that is responsible for more than 90% of infections and deaths.

The mortality due to cerebral and severe malaria occurs despite treating the patients with WHO-recommended artemisinin-based combination therapies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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