Antimalarial activity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease inhibitors

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005 Jul;49(7):2983-5. doi: 10.1128/AAC.49.7.2983-2985.2005.

Abstract

Aspartic proteases play key roles in the biology of malaria parasites and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We tested the activity of seven HIV-1 protease inhibitors against cultured Plasmodium falciparum. All compounds inhibited the development of parasites at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. The most potent compound, lopinavir, was active against parasites (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 0.9 to 2.1 microM) at concentrations well below those achieved by ritonavir-boosted lopinavir therapy. Lopinavir also inhibited the P. falciparum aspartic protease plasmepsin II at a similar concentration (IC50, 2.7 microM). These findings suggest that use of HIV-1 protease inhibitors may offer clinically relevant antimalarial activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology*
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Culture Media
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / enzymology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Culture Media
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • plasmepsin