Portland State Researchers Discover Possible One-Pill Cure for Malaria

Researchers at Portland State University (PSU) have discovered a possible cure for malaria that could be administered orally in a single pill.

The compound is based on a natural red pigment from a bacteria. The researchers’ results, recently published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, show that the compound cures malaria in a single oral dose in animal models. Additionally, the compound works against drug resistant strains of the malaria.

Principal investigator Kevin Reynolds said the catalyst for his research was an old paper from the 1970s that hinted at the pigment’s potential in treating malaria. “Why didn’t anyone follow-up on it,” said Reynolds. “Perhaps they didn’t have the know-how or technology to make the structural changes necessary to make it more effective.”

According to World Health Organization (WHO) there were 198 million cases of malaria in 2013. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites and spread through the bites of infected mosquitos resulting in more than half a million deaths each year, the majority of them children under five.

“What’s unique about our research is the potential to create a one-pill cure for malaria,” said Reynolds. “That’s huge because it’s not an injection that needs to be kept refrigerated and you wouldn’t need multiple doses.”

Reynolds, co-investigators Jane Kelly and Papireddy Kancharla have moved beyond the “proof-of-concept” stage, but more work needs to be done before human trials. In the meantime, PSU has filed a provisional patent application for their compound.

[humanbeing]

What about quinine water?How do you find that ?