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Complex Formation between Chloroquine and Ferrihæmic Acid in vitro, and its effect on the Antimalarial Action of Chloroquine

Nature volume 202, pages 805–806 (1964)Cite this article

Abstract

RESISTANCE of malarial parasites to Chloroquine and its analogues was first reported in 19611, and during the past several years has caused increasing concern. Among the possible mechanisms to be considered in the development of drug resistance is production by the parasite of a metabolite which can interact with Chloroquine and thereby interfere with the action of the drug. This communication presents spectrophotometric evidence that ferrihæmic acid, a product of hæmoglobin breakdown by the malarial parasite, can bind strongly to chloroquine in vitro. The anti-malarial action of chloroquine against P. berghei infection in mice is markedly inhibited by such complex formation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases,

    STANLEY N. COHEN, KENNETH O. PHIFER & K. LEMONE YIELDING

  2. Laboratory of Parasite Chemotherapy, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.

    STANLEY N. COHEN, KENNETH O. PHIFER & K. LEMONE YIELDING

Authors
  1. STANLEY N. COHEN
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  2. KENNETH O. PHIFER
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  3. K. LEMONE YIELDING
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COHEN, S., PHIFER, K. & YIELDING, K. Complex Formation between Chloroquine and Ferrihæmic Acid in vitro, and its effect on the Antimalarial Action of Chloroquine. Nature 202, 805–806 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/202805a0

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