Title:A Bird’s Eye View on Evaluation of Anti-Plasmodial Efficacy of Natural
Products Isolated from Marine Sources
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Author(s): Ravi Kumar Dhanalakshmi, Venkatesan Dharani, Valayutham Ravichandiran, Subhendu Bhowmik*Vajiravelu Sivamurugan*
Affiliation:
- PG and Research Department of Chemistry, Pachaiyappa’s College, University of Madras, Chennai-600 030, Tamil
Nadu, India
- PG and Research Department of Chemistry, Pachaiyappa’s College, University of Madras, Chennai-600 030, Tamil
Nadu, India
Keywords:
Alkaloids, anti-malarial, cyclic peptides, malaria, marine natural products, plasmodium.
Abstract: Malaria is one of the deadliest vectors of spreading diseases, which causes enormous
health concerns in the tropical world, especially in sub-Saharan countries. Despite tremendous
efforts around the globe, malaria is one of the leading causes of death in those areas. In addition,
the appearance of resistance to the currently available drugs is making the situation more alarming,
which highlights the urgency for continued research to stay prepared, and evaluation of natural
products could be the best approach in this direction. In drug discovery, nature plays an important
role. Most currently marketed drugs are either modified or non-modified or synthetic compounds
with a natural product as a pharmacophore. Even in the case of antimalarial drugs, starting from
the discovery of quinine to the currently utilized artemisinin, most of the effective antimalarial
drugs are derived from terrestrial natural sources. However, although the ocean constitutes almost
75% of the Earth, the exploration and discovery of antimalarial drugs from marine sources are
minimal. This comprehensive review assimilates antimalarial natural products from marine sources
in recent times. Natural products from oceanic microbes and their plants, in particular, are regarded
sources for the review.