- New anti-malarial compounds with novel cellular targets
Abstract
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have identified new compounds that may treat malaria infections more effectively than current anti-malarial drugs. The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has developed resistance to most anti-malarial treatments, including chloroquine and artemisinin. Since the UCF anti-malarial compounds have structures different from current antimalarials, the new compounds may have new cellular targets and have the ability to inhibit the growth of drug-resistant Plasmodium parasites, such as P. falciparum.
Technical Details
Technology 32882:
UCF and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) researchers have isolated novel anti-malarial compounds from a library of enriched marine natural products, including cembranoid-type diterpenes, microsclerodermins, dercitamides and bis-indoles. Representative compound, Nortopsentin A, exhibits antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum chloroquine-resistant Dd2 cells (IC50 0.6μM).
Technology 33963:
UCF researchers have identified new anti-malarial compounds by 1) screening a library of optimized Aurora kinase inhibitors, and 2) repurposing human Aurora kinase proteins. Aurora kinase is a cell cycle regulatory protein involved in cell growth and development. The identified compounds inhibit the growth of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum. These potent inhibitors (EC50 < 1 µM) were identified in cell-based screening using SYBR Green I fluorescence-based assay.
Partnering Opportunity
The research teams are looking for partners to further develop the technologies for commercialization.
Stage of Development
Preclinical
Website
https://ucf.flintbox.com/technologies/B6CCB7123DA0428DB339C9490EDA31BD
Advantages
- Ability to act upon novel cellular targets
- May alleviate the problem of drug resistance
- May be used to treat or prevent one or more symptoms of malaria