Chiral Natural Products With Anti‐Plasmodium Activity Identified from the East African Flora From 2000 to 2023

Abstract

For more than half a century, significant strides have been taken to reduce the incidence of malaria, but nearly half of the world‘s population is still at risk of malaria infection. Development of parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs remains a medical challenge that requires identification and development of novel drug‐like anti‐plasmodial leads that are active against drug resistant parasites. The benefits of chiral natural product (NPs) as anti‐Plasmodium drugs can be traced back to Quinine. To date, the importance of stereogenic centers in drug discovery continues to influence clinical pharmacology of various clinical candidates. This review retrospectively examines chiral natural product anti‐Plasmodium agents from the East African flora published between year 2000 and 2023. The intention is to identify promising leads that could be ideal starting points for development of the next generation of antimalarial drugs.