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Evidence that haem iron in the malaria parasite is not needed for the antimalarial effects of artemisinin
Author(s) -
Parapini Silvia,
Basilico Nicoletta,
Mondani Monica,
Olliaro Piero,
Taramelli Donatella,
Monti Diego
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.08.039
Subject(s) - artemisinin , parasite hosting , malaria , chemistry , heme , oxidative stress , chloroquine , plasmodium falciparum , hemozoin , reactive oxygen species , pharmacology , biochemistry , biology , immunology , enzyme , world wide web , computer science
The role of haem iron (II) and oxidative stress in the activation and antimalarial activity of artemisinin is unclear. Thus, we submitted malaria parasite to modified culture conditions: artemisinin activity increased by 20–30% under an oxygen‐rich atmosphere (20% O 2 instead of “standard” 1% O 2 ), and by 40–50% in the presence of carboxy‐haemoglobin, and 2% carbon monoxide, conditions which inhibit haem iron (II) reactivity. In all cases, parasite growth and chloroquine activity were unaffected. We conclude that in the malaria parasite artemisinin is not activated by haem iron and that free radicals are not needed for its toxicity.