European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ART OF OLIDE LACTONES TO CONTROL OVER MALARIAL TONES

Kinsuk Sarker, Apurbo Sarker, Arittra Ghosh, Heta Shah, Rutvi Patel, Rajat Chaudhary and *Prof. Dr. Dhrubo Jyoti Sen

ABSTRACT

ART OF OLIDE LACTONES TO CONTROL OVER MALARIAL TONES is a quotation which comes from ART (Artemisinin, Dihydroartemisinin, Artemether, Arteether, Artesunate); OLIDE from macrolides; TONES from lactones because this article focuses on sesqueterpene lactones as antimalarials. Malaria is an illness caused by a variety of parasites transmitted by the anopheles mosquito. The parasites infect the human red blood cells and cause a variety of non-specific symptoms – most commonly high fevers, excessive sweats, back ache and joint pain. If the symptoms are neglected the person may become severely ill and eventually die. There are many remedies available but one of the most effective is the traditional remedy of Artemisia Afra which has been used for centuries by Africans and as such has proven itself to be effective and safe. Artemisia is effective both as prophylaxis and treatment of malaria. Prophylaxis is nothing more than treatment in anticipation of yet hidden symptoms. Artemisia given correctly will abort the infection before it develops into malaria. A person who has not taken preventative treatment or prophylaxis can still be treated for malaria by tripling the dose should symptoms appear. Symptoms of malaria mimic a flu-like illness. This dosage should be maintained for between 10 to 30 days, depending on the kind of parasite. Medical attention should always be sought when symptoms appear. A parasite count is vital for assessing the effectiveness of the treatment. The most widely researched ingredient of Artemisia is artemesinin. Artemesinin is a compound which consists of many constituents. The South African researcher Kraft (2003) confirmed that the South African variety Artemisia Afra has similar activity attributable to similar constituents as the Chinese relative. The anti-malarial activity of the plant is determined by the complex structure of all compounds contained in the plant which work synergistically and as such are more effective than a single constituent. This was confirmed by the researcher Wernsdorfer (1999) who found that parasites would find it easier to develop resistance to a single agent than to a battery of anti-malarial compounds such as contained in a whole plant. It is hydrolyzed in the cell and then eliminated rapidly. Unfortunately confusion has been created in the minds of the public as researchers have given what they believe the most active ingredient of the plant which they have synthesised chemically in the laboratory the same name as the natural compound namely artemesinin. All the artemesinin compounds induce a more rapid reduction of parasites than any other known anti-malarial drug. Because of the rapid action of ingredients in the Artemisia plant it does not have to be taken over extended periods before entering or after leaving a malaria area.

Keywords: Lactone, Isoprene, Sesquiterpene, Germacranolides, Artemisinin, Dihydroartemisinin, Artemether, Arteether, Artesunate.