Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 276 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Trends in malaria research in 11 Asian Pacific countries: an analysis of peer-reviewed publications over two decades
    Andersen F, Douglas NM, Bustos D, Galappaththy G, Qi G, Hsiang MS, et al.
    Malar J, 2011 May 18;10:131.
    PMID: 21586174 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-131
    BACKGROUND: Quantitative data are lacking on published malaria research. The purpose of the study is to characterize trends in malaria-related literature from 1990 to 2009 in 11 Asian-Pacific countries that are committed to malaria elimination as a national goal.

    METHODS: A systematic search was conducted for articles published from January 1990 to December 2009 in PubMed/MEDLINE using terms for malaria and 11 target countries (Bhutan, China, North Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vanuatu). The references were collated and categorized according to subject, Plasmodium species, and whether they contained original or derivative data.

    RESULTS: 2,700 articles published between 1990 and 2009 related to malaria in the target countries. The annual output of malaria-related papers increased linearly whereas the overall biomedical output from these countries grew exponentially. The percentage of malaria-related publications was nearly 3% (111/3741) of all biomedical publications in 1992 and decreased to less than 1% (118/12171; p < 0.001) in 2009. Thailand had the highest absolute output of malaria-related papers (n = 1211), followed by China (n = 609) and Indonesia (n = 346). Solomon Islands and Vanuatu had lower absolute numbers of publications, but both countries had the highest number of publications per capita (1.3 and 2.5 papers/1,000 population). The largest percentage of papers concerned the epidemiology and control of malaria (53%) followed by studies of drugs and drug resistance (47%). There was an increase in the proportion of articles relating to epidemiology, entomology, biology, molecular biology, pathophysiology and diagnostics from the first to the second decade, whereas the percentage of papers on drugs, clinical aspects of malaria, immunology, and social sciences decreased.

    CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of malaria-related publications out of the overall biomedical output from the 11 target Asian-Pacific countries is decreasing. The discovery and evaluation of new, safe and effective drugs and vaccines is paramount. In addition the elimination of malaria will require operational research to implement and scale up interventions.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/pharmacology
  2. [Monkey malaria in a traveller from Malaysia]
    van Hellemond JJ, van Genderen PJ
    Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 2010;154:A1353.
    PMID: 20456798
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/therapeutic use
  3. Discovery of Antimalarial Drugs from Streptomycetes Metabolites Using a Metabolomic Approach
    Ahmad SJ, Abdul Rahim MBH, Baharum SN, Baba MS, Zin NM
    J Trop Med, 2017;2017:2189814.
    PMID: 29123551 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2189814
    Natural products continue to play an important role as a source of biologically active substances for the development of new drug. Streptomyces, Gram-positive bacteria which are widely distributed in nature, are one of the most popular sources of natural antibiotics. Recently, by using a bioassay-guided fractionation, an antimalarial compound, Gancidin-W, has been discovered from these bacteria. However, this classical method in identifying potentially novel bioactive compounds from the natural products requires considerable effort and is a time-consuming process. Metabolomics is an emerging "omics" technology in systems biology study which integrated in process of discovering drug from natural products. Metabolomics approach in finding novel therapeutics agent for malaria offers dereplication step in screening phase to shorten the process. The highly sensitive instruments, such as Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (LC-MS), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ((1)H-NMR) spectroscopy, provide a wide range of information in the identification of potentially bioactive compounds. The current paper reviews concepts of metabolomics and its application in drug discovery of malaria treatment as well as assessing the antimalarial activity from natural products. Metabolomics approach in malaria drug discovery is still new and needs to be initiated, especially for drug research in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials
  4. Fulltext Severe Plasmodium knowlesi infection with multiorgan involvement in north east peninsular Malaysia
    Azidah AK, Mohd Faizal MA, Lili HY, Zeehaida M
    Trop Biomed, 2014 Mar;31(1):31-5.
    PMID: 24862042 MyJurnal
    Plasmodium knowlesi has been recently identified as the "fifth human malaria species" following the discovery in Malaysian Borneo of a large focus of this simian malaria parasite in humans. Even though it shares microscopic similarities with Plasmodium malariae, it may cause severe illness with risk of fatality. We describe a case of P. knowlesi infection causing multi-organ failure in a patient who was successfully managed due to early recognition of the infection. Clinicians in this region should be more aware of the infection as it is not as rare as previously thought. This case write up highlight the case of severe malaria infection which presented with multi organ involvement which is caused by P. knowlesi.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/administration & dosage*
  5. Fulltext Case series of naturally acquired Plasmodium knowlesi infection in a tertiary teaching hospital
    Azira NM, Zairi NZ, Amry AR, Zeehaida M
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Sep;29(3):398-404.
    PMID: 23018503 MyJurnal
    Plasmodium knowlesi is a simian malaria parasite and is recently recognized as the fifth malaria parasite infecting humans. Manifestation of the infection may resemble other infection particularly dengue fever leading to inappropriate management and delay in treatment. We reported three cases of naturally acquired P. knowlesi in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Clinical manifestations were quite similar in those cases. Microscopically, the diagnosis might be challenging. These cases were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction method which serves as a gold standard.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/therapeutic use*
  6. Fulltext Antimalarial properties of Goniothalamin in combination with chloroquine against Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium berghei growth in mice
    Mohd Ridzuan MA, Ruenruetai U, Noor Rain A, Khozirah S, Zakiah I
    Trop Biomed, 2006 Dec;23(2):140-6.
    PMID: 17322815 MyJurnal
    Malaria is a disease which is still endemic and has become a disastrous scourge because of the emergence of antimalarial drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum. A new approach in addressing this is in developing a combination drug. This study is to show the enhancement of antimalarial properties, when single compound, goniothalamin combine with standard drug, chloroquine. Based on 4 Day Test, percentage of parasite growth on treated infected mice were determined. Oral treatment with 1 mg/kg BW of chloroquine on experimental mice suppressed 70% and 76.7% of both Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium berghei, respectively. The infection of P. berghei in mice was inhibited less than 50% by goniothalamin individual treatment at all doses in this study. About 27.8% and 18.5% inhibition of infection were observed in P. yoelii infected mice treated with 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg of goniothalamin respectively and the suppression exceed more than 50% at higher doses (90 and 120 mg/kg). Combination of 1 mg/kg chloroquine with either 30 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg of goniothalamin decreased the parasitemia of P. yoelii infected mice more than 90% and prolong the survival up to 100% after treatment. Similar treatment to P. berghei infected mice only shows about 60% reduction of parasitemia. The study findings showed that antimalarial property of goniothalamin was enhanced by combination with chloroquine at lower dose of each drug.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/administration & dosage; Antimalarials/pharmacology*
  7. Fulltext Antiplasmodial properties of some Malaysian medicinal plants
    Noor Rain A, Khozirah S, Mohd Ridzuan MA, Ong BK, Rohaya C, Rosilawati M, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2007 Jun;24(1):29-35.
    PMID: 17568375 MyJurnal
    Seven Malaysian medicinal plants were screened for their antiplasmodial activities in vitro. These plants were selected based on their traditional claims for treatment or to relieve fever. The plant extracts were obtained from Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). The antiplasmodial activities were carried out using the pLDH assay to Plasmodium falciparum D10 strain (sensitive strain) while the cytotoxic activities were carried out towards Madin- Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells using MTT assay. The concentration of extracts used for both screening assays were from the highest concentration 64 microg/ml, two fold dilution to the lowest concentration 0.03 microg/ml. Goniothalamus macrophyllus (stem extract) showed more than 60% growth inhibition while Goniothalamus scortechinii root and stem extract showed a 90% and more than 80% growth inhibition at the last concentration tested, 0.03 microg/ml. The G. scortechini (leaves extract) showed an IC50 (50% growth inhibition) at 8.53 microg/ml, Ardisia crispa (leaves extract) demonstrated an IC50 at 5.90 +/- 0.14 microg/ml while Croton argyratus (leaves extract) showed a percentage inhibition of more than 60% at the tested concentration. Blumea balsamifera root and stem showed an IC50 at 26.25 +/- 2.47 microg/ml and 7.75 +/- 0.35 microg/ ml respectively. Agathis borneensis (leaves extract) demonstrated a 50% growth inhibition at 11.00 +/- 1.41 microg/ml. The study gives preliminary scientific evidence of these plant extracts in line with their traditional claims.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/adverse effects; Antimalarials/pharmacology*; Antimalarials/chemistry
  8. Fulltext Eurycoma longifolia extract-artemisinin combination: parasitemia suppression of Plasmodium yoelii-infected mice
    Mohd Ridzuan MA, Sow A, Noor Rain A, Mohd Ilham A, Zakiah I
    Trop Biomed, 2007 Jun;24(1):111-8.
    PMID: 17568384 MyJurnal
    Eurycoma longifolia, locally known as 'Tongkat Ali' is a popular local medicinal plant that possess a lot of medicinal properties as claimed traditionally, especially in the treatment of malaria. The claims have been proven scientifically on isolated compounds from the plant. The present study is to investigate the anti malaria properties of Eurycoma longifolia standardized extract (root) (TA164) alone and in combination with artemisinin in vivo. Combination treatment of the standardized extract (TA164) with artemisinin suppressed P. yoelii infection in the experimental mice. The 4 day suppressive test showed that TA164 suppressed the parasitemia of P. yoelii-infected mice as dose dependent manner (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg BW) by oral and subcutaneous treatment. By oral administration, combination of TA164 at 10, 30 and 60 mg/kg BW each with artemisinin respectively showed a significant increase in the parasitemia suppression to 63, 67 and 80 percent as compared to artemisinin single treatment (31%). Using subcutaneous administration, at 10 mg/kg BW of TA164 in combination with 1.7 mg/kg BW of artemisinin gave a suppression of 80% of infection. This study showed that combination treatment of TA164 with artemisinin gives a promising potential anti malaria candidate using both oral and subcutaneous route, the later being the most potent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/administration & dosage; Antimalarials/pharmacology; Antimalarials/chemistry
  9. Fulltext Phytochemistry, Traditional Use and Pharmacological Activity of Picrasma quassioides: A Critical Reviews
    Mohd Jamil MDH, Taher M, Susanti D, Rahman MA, Zakaria ZA
    Nutrients, 2020 Aug 26;12(9).
    PMID: 32858812 DOI: 10.3390/nu12092584
    Picrasma quassioides is a member of the Simaroubaceae family commonly grown in the regions of Asia, the Himalayas, and India and has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat various illnesses such as fever, gastric discomfort, and pediculosis. This study aims to critically review the presence of phytochemicals in P. quassioides and correlate their pharmacological activities with the significance of its use as traditional medicine. Data were collected by reviewing numerous scientific articles from several journal databases on the pharmacological activities of P. quassioides using certain keywords. As a result, approximately 94 phytochemicals extracted from P. quassioides were found to be associated with quassinoids, β-carbolines and canthinones. These molecules exhibited various pharmacological benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-parasitic activities which help to treat different diseases. However, P. quassioides were also found to have several toxicity effects in high doses, although the evidence regarding these effects is limited in proving its safe use and efficacy as herbal medicine. Accordingly, while it can be concluded that P. quassioides may have many potential pharmacological benefits with more phytochemistry discoveries, further research is required to determine its real value in terms of quality, safety, and efficacy of use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/pharmacology; Antimalarials/therapeutic use
  10. Melatonin effects on Plasmodium life cycle: new avenues for therapeutic approach
    Srinivasan V, Ahmad AH, Mohamed M, Zakaria R
    Recent Pat Endocr Metab Immune Drug Discov, 2012 May;6(2):139-47.
    PMID: 22537380
    Malaria remains a global health problem affecting more than 515 million people all over the world including Malaysia. It is on the rise, even within unknown regions that previous to this were free of malaria. Although malaria eradication programs carried out by vector control programs are still effective, anti-malarial drugs are also used extensively for curtailing this disease. But resistance to the use of anti-malarial drugs is also increasing on a daily basis. With an increased understanding of mechanisms that cause growth, differentiation and development of malarial parasites in rodents and humans, new avenues of therapeutic approaches for controlling the growth, synchronization and development of malarial parasites are essential. Within this context, the recent discoveries related to IP3 interconnected signalling pathways, the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores of Plasmodium, ubiquitin protease systems as a signalling pathway, and melatonin influencing the growth and differentiation of malarial parasites by its effects on these signalling pathways have opened new therapeutic avenues for arresting the growth and differentiation of malarial parasites. Indeed, the use of melatonin antagonist, luzindole, has inhibited the melatonin's effect on these signalling pathways and thereby has effectively reduced the growth and differentiation of malarial parasites. As Plasmodium has effective sensors which detect the nocturnal plasma melatonin concentrations, suppression of plasma melatonin levels with the use of bright light during the night or by anti-melatonergic drugs and by using anti-kinase drugs will help in eradicating malaria on a global level. A number of patients have been admitted with regards to the control and management of malarial growth. Patents related to the discovery of serpentine receptors on Plasmodium, essential for modulating intra parasitic melatonin levels, procedures for effective delivery of bright light to suppress plasma melatonin levels and thereby arresting the growth and elimination of malarial parasites from the blood of the host are all cited in the paper. The purpose of the paper is to highlight the importance of melatonin acting as a cue for Plasmodium faciparum growth and to discuss the ways of curbing the effects of melatonin on Plasmodium growth and for arresting its life cycle, as a method of eliminating the parasite from the host.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/therapeutic use*
  11. Improved oral bioavailability of artemisinin through inclusion complexation with beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins
    Wong JW, Yuen KH
    Int J Pharm, 2001 Oct 04;227(1-2):177-85.
    PMID: 11564552
    The bioavailability of beta- and gamma-cyclodextrin artemisinin complexes was evaluated in comparison with a normal commercially available preparation, Artemisinin 250. Twelve healthy male volunteers participated in the study conducted according to a three-way crossover design. The bioavailability was compared using the parameters, total area under the plasma level-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)), peak plasma concentration (C(max)), and time to reach peak plasma concentration (T(max)). A statistically significant difference was observed between the values of the complexes and Artemisinin 250 for the three parameters. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the values of the beta- and gamma-cyclodextrin complexes. Moreover, the 90% confidence interval for the ratio of the AUC(0-infinity) values of the beta-cyclodextrin complex over those of Artemisinin 250 was estimated to be between 1.51-2.04, while that of C(max) was between 1.73-2.93. For the gamma-cyclodextrin complex, the respective intervals were 1.30-1.76 and 1.43-2.43. These findings indicated that the beta- and gamma-cyclodextrin complexes had a much higher rate and extent of bioavailability compared to Artemisinin 250. In addition, the absorption of artemisinin was observed to be poor and negligible when the preparations started to arrive in the colon. This could be attributed to poor dissolution of artemisinin in the semi-solid faecal matter in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/pharmacokinetics*
  12. Fulltext Artesunate-mefloquine versus chloroquine for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium knowlesi malaria in Malaysia (ACT KNOW): an open-label, randomised controlled trial
    Grigg MJ, William T, Menon J, Dhanaraj P, Barber BE, Wilkes CS, et al.
    Lancet Infect Dis, 2016 Feb;16(2):180-188.
    PMID: 26603174 DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00415-6
    BACKGROUND: The zoonotic parasite Plasmodium knowlesi has become the most common cause of human malaria in Malaysia and is present throughout much of southeast Asia. No randomised controlled trials have been done to identify the optimum treatment for this emerging infection. We aimed to compare artesunate-mefloquine with chloroquine to define the optimum treatment for uncomplicated P knowlesi malaria in adults and children.

    METHODS: We did this open-label, randomised controlled trial at three district hospitals in Sabah, Malaysia. Patients aged 1 year or older with uncomplicated P knowlesi malaria were randomly assigned, via computer-generated block randomisation (block sizes of 20), to receive oral artesunate-mefloquine (target dose 12 mg/kg artesunate and 25 mg/kg mefloquine) or chloroquine (target dose 25 mg/kg). Research nursing staff were aware of group allocation, but allocation was concealed from the microscopists responsible for determination of the primary endpoint, and study participants were not aware of drug allocation. The primary endpoint was parasite clearance at 24 h. Analysis was by modified intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01708876.

    FINDINGS: Between Oct 16, 2012, and Dec 13, 2014, we randomly assigned 252 patients to receive either artesunate-mefloquine (n=127) or chloroquine (n=125); 226 (90%) patients comprised the modified intention-to-treat population. 24 h after treatment, we recorded parasite clearance in 97 (84% [95% CI 76-91]) of 115 patients in the artesunate-mefloquine group versus 61 (55% [45-64]) of 111 patients in the chloroquine group (difference in proportion 29% [95% CI 18·0-40·8]; p<0·0001). Parasite clearance was faster in patients given artesunate-mefloquine than in those given chloroquine (18·0 h [range 6·0-48·0] vs 24·0 h [6·0-60·0]; p<0·0001), with faster clearance of ring stages in the artesunate-mefloquine group (mean time to 50% clearance of baseline parasites 8·6 h [95% CI 7·9-9·4] vs 13·8 h [12·1-15·4]; p<0·0001). Risk of anaemia within 28 days was lower in patients in the artesunate-mefloquine group (71 [62%; 95% CI 52·2-70·6]) than in those in the chloroquine group (83 [75%; 65·6-82·5]; p=0·035). Gametocytaemia as detected by PCR for pks25 was present in 44 (86%) of 51 patients in the artesunate-mefloquine group and 41 (84%) of 49 patients in the chloroquine group at baseline, and in three (6%) of 49 patients and two (4%) of 48 patients, respectively, at day 7. Fever clearance was faster in the artesunate-mefloquine group (mean 11·5 h [95% CI 8·3-14·6]) than in the chloroquine group (14·8 h [11·7-17·8]; p=0·034). Bed occupancy was 2426 days per 1000 patients in the artesunate-mefloquine group versus 2828 days per 1000 patients in the chloroquine group (incidence rate ratio 0·858 [95% CI 0·812-0·906]; p<0·0001). One (<1%) patient in the artesunate-mefloquine group had a serious neuropsychiatric event regarded as probably related to study drug.

    INTERPRETATION: Artesunate-mefloquine is highly efficacious for treatment of uncomplicated P knowlesi malaria. The rapid therapeutic response of the drug offers significant advantages compared with chloroquine monotherapy and supports a unified treatment policy for artemisinin-based combination therapy for all Plasmodium species in co-endemic areas.

    FUNDING: Malaysian Ministry of Health, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, and Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/therapeutic use*
  13. Fulltext A study protocol for a randomised open-label clinical trial of artesunate-mefloquine versus chloroquine in patients with non-severe Plasmodium knowlesi malaria in Sabah, Malaysia (ACT KNOW trial)
    Grigg MJ, William T, Dhanaraj P, Menon J, Barber BE, von Seidlein L, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2014 Aug 19;4(8):e006005.
    PMID: 25138814 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006005
    INTRODUCTION: Malaria due to Plasmodium knowlesi is reported throughout South-East Asia, and is the commonest cause of it in Malaysia. P. knowlesi replicates every 24 h and can cause severe disease and death. Current 2010 WHO Malaria Treatment Guidelines have no recommendations for the optimal treatment of non-severe knowlesi malaria. Artemisinin-combination therapies (ACT) and chloroquine have each been successfully used to treat knowlesi malaria; however, the rapidity of parasite clearance has not been prospectively compared. Malaysia's national policy for malaria pre-elimination involves mandatory hospital admission for confirmed malaria cases with discharge only after two negative blood films; use of a more rapidly acting antimalarial agent would have health cost benefits. P. knowlesi is commonly microscopically misreported as P. malariae, P. falciparum or P. vivax, with a high proportion of the latter two species being chloroquine-resistant in Malaysia. A unified ACT-treatment protocol would provide effective blood stage malaria treatment for all Plasmodium species.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: ACT KNOW, the first randomised controlled trial ever performed in knowlesi malaria, is a two-arm open-label trial with enrolments over a 2-year period at three district sites in Sabah, powered to show a difference in proportion of patients negative for malaria by microscopy at 24 h between treatment arms (clinicaltrials.gov #NCT01708876). Enrolments started in December 2012, with completion expected by September 2014. A total sample size of 228 is required to give 90% power (α 0.05) to determine the primary end point using intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary end points include parasite clearance time, rates of recurrent infection/treatment failure to day 42, gametocyte carriage throughout follow-up and rates of anaemia at day 28, as determined by survival analysis.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by relevant institutional ethics committees in Malaysia and Australia. Results will be disseminated to inform knowlesi malaria treatment policy in this region through peer-reviewed publications and academic presentations.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01708876.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/therapeutic use*
  14. Fulltext A prospective comparative study of knowlesi, falciparum, and vivax malaria in Sabah, Malaysia: high proportion with severe disease from Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium vivax but no mortality with early referral and artesunate therapy
    Barber BE, William T, Grigg MJ, Menon J, Auburn S, Marfurt J, et al.
    Clin Infect Dis, 2013 Feb;56(3):383-97.
    PMID: 23087389 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cis902
    Plasmodium knowlesi commonly causes severe malaria in Malaysian Borneo, with high case-fatality rates reported. We compared risk, spectrum, and outcome of severe disease from P. knowlesi, Plasmodium falciparum, and Plasmodium vivax and outcomes following introduction of protocols for early referral and intravenous artesunate for all severe malaria.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/therapeutic use*
  15. Fulltext Deaths due to Plasmodium knowlesi malaria in Sabah, Malaysia: association with reporting as Plasmodium malariae and delayed parenteral artesunate
    Rajahram GS, Barber BE, William T, Menon J, Anstey NM, Yeo TW
    Malar J, 2012;11:284.
    PMID: 22905799 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-284
    The simian parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is recognized as a common cause of severe and fatal human malaria in Sabah, Malaysia, but is morphologically indistinguishable from and still commonly reported as Plasmodium malariae, despite the paucity of this species in Sabah. Since December 2008 Sabah Department of Health has recommended intravenous artesunate and referral to a general hospital for all severe malaria cases of any species. This paper reviews all malaria deaths in Sabah subsequent to the introduction of these measures. Reporting of malaria deaths in Malaysia is mandatory.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/administration & dosage*
  16. Fulltext Severe Plasmodium knowlesi malaria in a tertiary care hospital, Sabah, Malaysia
    William T, Menon J, Rajahram G, Chan L, Ma G, Donaldson S, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2011 Jul;17(7):1248-55.
    PMID: 21762579 DOI: 10.3201/eid1707.101017
    The simian parasite Plasmodium knowlesi causes severe human malaria; the optimal treatment remains unknown. We describe the clinical features, disease spectrum, and response to antimalarial chemotherapy, including artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate, in patients with P. knowlesi malaria diagnosed by PCR during December 2007-November 2009 at a tertiary care hospital in Sabah, Malaysia. Fifty-six patients had PCR-confirmed P. knowlesi monoinfection and clinical records available for review. Twenty-two (39%) had severe malaria; of these, 6 (27%) died. Thirteen (59%) had respiratory distress; 12 (55%), acute renal failure; and 12, shock. None experienced coma. Patients with uncomplicated disease received chloroquine, quinine, or artemether-lumefantrine, and those with severe disease received intravenous quinine or artesunate. Parasite clearance times were 1-2 days shorter with either artemether-lumefantrine or artesunate treatment. P. knowlesi is a major cause of severe and fatal malaria in Sabah. Artemisinin derivatives rapidly clear parasitemia and are efficacious in treating uncomplicated and severe knowlesi malaria.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/administration & dosage*; Antimalarials/therapeutic use
  17. An oxidatively stressful situation: a case of Artemisia annua L
    Kam MYY, Yap WSP
    Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev, 2020 Apr;36(1):1-31.
    PMID: 32308142 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2020.1749818
    Artemisinin (ART) is an antimalarial compound that possesses a variety of novel biological activities. Due to the low abundance of ART in natural sources, agricultural supply has been erratic, and prices are highly volatile. While heterologous biosynthesis and semi-synthesis are advantageous in certain aspects, these approaches remained disadvantageous in terms of productivity and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, further improvement in ART production calls for approaches that should supplement the agricultural production gap, while reducing production costs and stabilising supply. The present review offers a discussion on the elicitation of plants and/or in vitro cultures as an economically feasible yield enhancement strategy to address the global problem of access to affordable ART. Deemed critical for the manipulation of biosynthetic potential, the mechanism of ART biosynthesis is reviewed. It includes a discussion on the current biotechnological solutions to ART production, focusing on semi-synthesis and elicitation. A brief commentary on the possible aspects that influence elicitation efficiency and how oxidative stress modulates ART synthesis is also presented. Based on the critical analysis of current literature, a hypothesis is put forward to explain the possible involvement of enzymes in assisting the final non-enzymatic transformation step leading to ART formation. This review highlights the critical factors limiting the success of elicitor-induced modulation of ART metabolism, that will help inform strategies for future improvement of ART production. Additionally, new avenues for future research based on the proposed hypothesis will lead to exciting perspectives in this research area and continue to enhance our understanding of this intricate metabolic process.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/chemical synthesis; Antimalarials/metabolism*; Antimalarials/therapeutic use
  18. Lansium domesticum: skin and leaf extracts of this fruit tree interrupt the lifecycle of Plasmodium falciparum, and are active towards a chloroquine-resistant strain of the parasite (T9) in vitro
    Yapp DT, Yap SY
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2003 Mar;85(1):145-50.
    PMID: 12576213
    Malaria remains a global problem in the light of chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. New compounds are needed for the development of novel antimalarial drugs. Seed, leaf, and fruit skin extracts of Lansium domesticum, a common fruit tree in South-East Asia, are used by indigenous tribes in Sabah, Malaysia for treating malaria. The skin and aqueous leaf extracts of the tree were found to reduce parasite populations of the drug sensitive strain (3D7) and the chloroquine-resistant strain (T9) of P. falciparum equally well. The skin extracts were also found to interrupt the lifecycle of the parasite. The data reported here indicate that extracts of L. domesticum are a potential source for compounds with activity towards chloroquine-resistant strains of P. falciparum.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/pharmacology*
  19. Efficacy and safety of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in endemic countries: meta-analysis of randomised controlled studies
    Naing C, Mak JW, Aung K, Wong JY
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2013 Feb;107(2):65-73.
    PMID: 23222952 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trs019
    The present review aimed to synthesise available evidence on the efficacy of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) in treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in people living in malaria-endemic countries by performing a meta-analysis of relevant studies. We searched relevant studies in electronic data bases up to December 2011. Published results from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing efficacy of DP with other artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), or non-ACTs, or placebo were selected. The primary endpoint was 28-day and 42-day treatment failure. We identified 26 RCTs. Many of the studies included in the present review were of high quality. Overall, DP, artesunate-mefloquine (MAS3) and artemether-lumefentrine (AL) were equally effective for reducing the risk of recurrent parasitaemia. The PCR confirmed efficacy of DP (99.5%) and MAS3 (97.7%) at day 28 exceeded 90%; both are efficacious. Comparable efficacy was also found for DP (95.6%) and AL (94.3%). The present review has documented that DP is comparable to other currently used ACTs such as MAS3 and AL in treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The better safety profile of DP and once-daily dosage improves adherence and its fixed co-formulation ensures that both drugs are taken together. Our conclusion is that DP has the potential to become a first-line antimalarial drug.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/adverse effects; Antimalarials/therapeutic use*
  20. Nephropathy in Malaria
    Wolthuis FH
    Trop Geogr Med, 1968 Mar;20(1):21-7.
    PMID: 4868143
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/therapeutic use
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links