Abstract
We have discovered a remarkable synergistic antimalarial interaction between rufigallol and the structurally similar compound exifone. The synergistic effects were produced in chloroquine-susceptible and chloroquine- resistant clones of Plasmodium falciparum. The degree of potentiation as estimated by standard isobolar analysis was ~60-fold for experiments initiated with asynchronous parasites. The most pronounced synergism was observed in experiments with synchronized trophozoite-infected erythrocytes, in which the degree of synergy was at least 300-fold. While the mechanism underlying this drug potentiation remains unresolved, it is hypothesized that rufigallol acts in pro-oxidant fashion to produce oxygen radicals inside parasitized erythrocytes. These radicals would attack exifone, thereby initiating its transformation into a more potent compound, a xanthone.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1408-1411 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1996 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacology (medical)
- Infectious Diseases