Iron(III) Porphyrin Complex and Its Reaction with Quinoline-Based Antimalarial Drugs

Presenter

Adama Bangura

Campus

Fitchburg State University

Sponsor

Dennis Awasabisah, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Fitchburg State University

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A2, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 1 (A1-A20) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

 Malaria is a disease that is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito. In the pathogenic blood stage of its life cycle, the Plasmodium parasite digests the protein portion of hemoglobin releasing the heme group which is very toxic to the parasite. The parasite converts the toxic heme into hemozoin, which is an insoluble malaria pigment that is now non-toxic to the parasite. Malaria is treatable, but millions die from this disease each year. Mothers and young children, especially those in developing countries are more susceptible to this disease,

Scientists have identified different drugs that can treat malaria, however, the mechanism of action of the antimalarial drugs is not well understood. Many antimalarial drugs target the heme group. In our research, we are focusing on determining the role of the prosthetic heme group in activating antimalarial drugs for antimalarial activity. We have prepared iron(III) porphyrin complexes as synthetic heme models and studied their reactivity with quinoline-based antimalarial drugs. We also studied the possible path of the hemozoin formation process. We present spectroscopic data for the model compounds as well as the heme-drug adducts. This study provides more insight into the role of the heme group in activating antimalarial drugs for antimalarial activity.

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Keywords

malaria , antimalarial drugs , hemozoin models

Research Area

Chemistry and Materials Science

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