Novel Anti-Malarial Compound Derived from a Marine Sponge

Current drugs used to treat malaria are facing increasing resistance in the malaria-causing parasites.

This invention relates to Manzamine A, a β-carboline alkaloid, isolated from marine sponges for the treatment of malaria. Manzamine A and its derivatives act by inhibiting the development of Plasmodium berghei in the asexual erythrocytic stage. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed high levels of anti-malarial activity by the isolated compound. The P. berghei-infected mice showed greater than 90% reduction in parasite count in their blood, after only a single intraperitoneal injection of manzamine A. Furthermore, mice treated with a single dose of the compound showed a 40% recovery rate without any toxic effects within 60days.

This isolated compound demonstrates superior activity and bioavailability compared to currently available drugs – chloroquine or artemisinin. In addition, as this is a novel compound it eliminates issues related to drug resistance in the Plasmodium parasites.

Transmission electron micrographs of P. berghei treated with manzamine A. (A) Mouse erythrocyte containing untreated P. berghei. (B) P. berghei 1 h after administration of manzamine A. Electron-dense vesicles are present within the cytoplasm of the parasite (arrows). (C) P. berghei 4 h after manzamine A administration. (D) P. berghei 12 h after treatment. Increasing numbers of vesicles are present within the parasite.

Therefore, Manzamine A and its derivatives would serve as a potentially viable drug compound for the treatment of malaria.

Animal studies completed on P. berghei-infected mice. READY for commercialization

Reference: Antimicrobial Agents Chemotheraphy (2000); 44(6): 1645–1649, “In Vivo Antimalarial Activity of the Beta-Carboline Alkaloid Manzamine A”