Artemether-Lumefanthrine Mixed Ligand Complexes: Synthesis and in vitro Antiplasmidial Activity Studies.

Abstract

Malaria is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in the world, endangering billions and affecting millions of people each year. Resistance to common antimalarial drugs has proven to be a challenging problem in malaria control. In an attempt to develop efficacious compounds against sensitive and multidrug resistant falciparum malaria, four new complexes of mixed ligands (artemether and lumefantrine) were synthesized using template method. Their antiplasmodial activity potential was evaluated and compared with chloroquine and the parent ligands. The compounds were active against the tested parasite strains. The presence of the metal ions significantly improved the antiplasmodial action against the drug-resistant parasite strains when compared to chloroquine. Additionally, their biological activity was assessed using several in vitro assays. Biological and physical properties were correlated to the antimalarial activity.