An insight in anti-malarial potential of indole scaffold: A review

Eur J Med Chem. 2021 Jun 5:218:113400. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113400. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

Abstract

Malaria is a major parasitic disease in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Pertaining to the sustaining resistance in malarial parasite against the available drugs, novel treatment options are the need of the hour. In this resolve recently, focus has shifted to finding the natural alternatives that possess anti-plasmodial activity for combatting malaria. Drawing on the text written in ancient scriptures and Ayurveda, natural compounds are now being screened for their therapeutic properties. Indole is one such natural compound, present in all living organisms, it displays a range of therapeutic activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial etc. In this review, we have discussed various indole scaffold as well as the semi-synthetic drugs containing indole moiety that have been synthesized for malaria treatment.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Anticancer; Antimalaria; Ayurveda; Indole; Indole alkaloid; Natural products; Plasmodium falciparum.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / chemical synthesis
  • Antimalarials / chemistry
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Malaria / drug therapy*
  • Plasmodium / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antimalarials