Researchers from Covenant University in Nigeria and the German Cancer Research Center have discovered a new type of compound that could help fight malaria more effectively, marking a major scientific breakthrough.
This exciting discovery was published in the Arabian Journal of Chemistry, a respected international journal.
The new compound targets a special enzyme that the malaria parasite needs to survive. By blocking this enzyme, the compound can stop the parasite from growing and spreading in the human body.
This approach is different from how most current malaria drugs work—and that’s important because the parasite has been developing resistance to existing treatments.
Malaria remains a huge global health problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 247 million cases were reported around the world recently. Africa is the hardest hit, with children under five years old making up 76% of all malaria deaths.
The most dangerous malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has become more resistant to the medicines we have now. That’s why new treatments are urgently needed.
The team of scientists behind this discovery includes:
Olayinka O. Ajani, Gbolahan O. Oduselu, and Damilola V. Aderohunmu from the Department of Chemistry
Glory P. Adebayo and Grace I. Olasehinde from the Department of Biological Sciences
Ezekiel Adebiyi from the Department of Computer Science—all from Covenant University in Nigeria
They worked in collaboration with Dr. Karel D. Klika from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).
They focused on a little-known enzyme called PfPTPS (Plasmodium falciparum 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase). Using advanced computer tools and lab methods, the team created new organic compounds designed to block this enzyme’s function.
One compound in particular—called 4-aminobenzenecarbohydroxamic acid (3b)—stood out. It was very powerful in lab tests, working at extremely low doses (IC₅₀ < 0.2 μM). It successfully blocked the enzyme, showed no harm to healthy cells, and was safe in animal testing.
Computer simulations also showed how the compound works: it binds tightly to a zinc ion inside the enzyme, stopping the enzyme from doing its job.
Because this compound works in a completely new way, it offers hope for a new generation of malaria drugs—especially important as existing drugs become less effective.
“This research lays the foundation for a new generation of antimalarial treatments,” the authors said. They also noted that further development and testing, including clinical trials, are needed to turn this discovery into a real medicine.
The study was published in a Q1 journal with an impact factor of 5.3 and can be read online at:
👉 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2023.105573
The researchers hope their work will encourage more investment and partnerships to develop this compound into a drug that can save lives, especially in the parts of the world hit hardest by malaria.
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