Open AccessSexual development of malaria parasites is inhibited in vitro by the Neem extract Azadirachtin, and its semi‐synthetic analogues
Author(s) -
Jones Ian W.,
Denholm Alastair A.,
Ley Steven V.,
Lovell Helen,
Wood Anthony,
Sinden Robert E.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1994.tb07044.x
Subject(s) - azadirachtin , azadirachta , in vitro , biology , meliaceae , stereochemistry , traditional medicine , chemistry , biochemistry , botany , medicine , pesticide , ecology
We have shown that azadirachtin, a compound from the neem tree, Azadirachta indica , and selected semi‐synthetic derivatives, block the development of the motile male malarial gamete in vitro. Changes in the hemiacetal group at position C 11 in the molecule result in a loss of activity in this assay. The motility of fully formed male gametes, and other selected flagellated cells, is unaffected by azadirachtin in vitro. These findings raise the possibility of developing azadirachtin‐based compounds as antimalarials with transmission‐blocking potential, as well as permitting the further study of structure‐activity relationships in these compounds.