New dimensions in the field of antimalarial research against malaria resurgence.
Malaria is a life threatening disease caused by microscopic parasites called Plasmodium that are transmitted to human beings by mosquitoes. Single celled Eukaryotic plasmodium parasite is responsible to cause malaria in human beings and is transmitted by bite of Anopheles species mosquitoes. Resurgence of malaria towards the end of 20th Century is due to failure of its eradication completely. Parasite recurrence occurs due to high densities of parasite, low immunity and non opimized drug concentration. The ineffective eradications strategies were due to indefinable complex life cycle of Plasmodium and emergence of drugs resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) including Artemisinin and Artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT). The vector of the disease i.e. mosquitoes became resistive towards Pyrethroids, which are only class of insecticides recommended for vector control. Artemisinin based combination therapy gained acceptance as an effective approach to counter the spread of disease resistance to chloroquine, sulfadoxine, pyrimethamine and other anti malarial drugs. Understanding the underlying molecular basis of the pathogenesis led to the development of some new diagnostic, drugs and insecticides. Reports on the use of new combination therapies reduced the burden of disease worldwide. Some of the new combination therapies are in clinical stage of development that have efficacy against drug resistant parasites and the potential to use in single dose regimens to improve compliance. The current review represents the recent anti-malarial research carried out globally especially in the class of synthesis of small molecule and natural product derivatives as potent anti-malarial drugs. The review also covers the advancement in the anti-malarial vaccine development although goal for vaccine development still remains elusive.