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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : July 3, 2014 12:31 PM IST
Resistance is no longer a phenomenon associated with antibiotics. Malaria parasite, too, has been found to develop resistance to drugs. Before malaria resistance poses a threat, steps have already been taken to combat it.
In a new study, researchers created a substance that can block the action of a key 'gatekeeper' enzyme essential for malaria parasite survival. The compound, called WEHI-916, is the first step toward a new class of anti-malarial drugs that could cure and prevent malaria infections caused by all species of the parasite, including those resistant to existing drugs. Researchers developed WEHI-916 to block the critical malaria enzyme Plasmepsin V.
'In this study, we developed a novel compound to target Plasmepsin V and showed for the first time that the enzyme is essential for survival of the malaria parasite,' said Justin Boddey from Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia. The research team had previously shown Plasmepsin V is a gatekeeper enzyme responsible for controlling the transport of critical proteins in and out of the parasite. 'WEHI-916 is really exciting because if you block Plasmepsin V, the malaria parasite dies,' Boddey added. (Read: How is malaria treated?)
Plasmepsin V was an ideal drug target because its inhibition effectively halted the transport of hundreds of malaria proteins, he said. 'We found that blocking Plasmepsin V kills malaria parasites and delivered a new and effective potential drug at the same time.' Approximately half of the world's population is at risk of contracting malaria each year, with more than 200 million people infected. Current anti-malarial drugs are becoming less effective as the parasite develops resistance to the drugs, making the search for new targets that can kill all species of malaria critical. (Read: 10 natural ways to keep your home mosquito-free)
The findings appeared in the journal PLOS Biology.
What is drug resistance?
Constant evolution enables organisms to efficiently adapt to new environments, and development of resistance is one such adaptation. The ability of microbes and parasites to grow in the presence of a drug that would normally kill them or limit their growth is called drug resistance. The organism which have become resistant cause infections which cannot be treated with the usual drugs, dosages or concentrations.
Here some tips to prevent malaria:
Linked to diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, elephantiasis and many more vector borne diseases, mosquitoes are a big menace to humanity. While most of us turn to chemical insecticides to kill mosquitoes, these chemical agents have been known to cause allergic reactions in some and are simply harmful for others. So, if you are looking for all natural ways to get rid of those pesky critters, then here are 10 ways to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Neem oil:Neem has a number of great benefits for the human body, but apart from being an elixir for your health, neem is also a great mosquito-repellent. A study published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association {1} found that mixing neem oil with coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio is a really effective way to keep mosquitoes at bay. Being a potent antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-protozoal agent, neem lends your skin a particular smell that wards off mosquitoes. To make an effective insecticide mix neem oil and coconut oil in equal portions and rub it on your body (all exposed parts). This will protect you from mosquito bites for at least eight hours.
Eucalyptus and lemon oil: Recommended by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) as an effective insect-repellent the mixture of lemon oil and eucalyptus oil is extremely effective in repelling mosquitoes naturally. The way lemon oil and eucalyptus oil works is due to its active component cineole, which has both antiseptic and insect-repellent properties when applied to the skin. The best part about this mixture is that it is natural and does not come with all the ill effects of chemical mosquito repellents. To use this mixture, mix lemon oil and eucalyptus oil in equal proportions and use it on your body.
Camphor: Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Made from the extract of a tree, this compound has been found to have the longest mosquito repellent activity when compared to other natural products. {2}Light camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about fifteen to twenty minutes and go back to a mosquito free environment. Read more about 10 natural ways to keep your home mosquito-free
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With inputs from IANS
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