Hemozoin (beta-hematin) formation inhibitors; A promising target for the development of new antimalarials: Current update and A future prospect

Abstract

Background: Malaria is responsible for a social and an economic burden in most low-income malaria-affected countries. Thus, newer antimalarials are needed to tackle morbidities and mortalities associated with the drug-resistant malarial strains. Haemoglobin digestion inside the food vacuole of malarial parasite would lead to producing redox-active and toxic-free heme. The detoxification process adopted by Plasmodium sp. would give rise to hemozoin (Hz) (beta-hematin) formation. Targeting the pathway of hemozoin formation is considered as a validated target for the discovery of newer antimalarials. Objective: This study aims to collect detailed information about aspects of hemozoin (Hz) (beta-hematin) inhibitors. Methods: A systemic search has been carried out using PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI, etc., for relevant studies having the keyword, ' hemozoin or beta-hematin' for almost the last 2 decades (2000-2021). Results: This mini-review tries to summarize all the recent advancements made for the developments of synthetic, natural isolated phytoconstituents and plant extracts inhibiting the hemozoin (beta-hematin) formation. Conclusion: thus, would act as promising antimalarial candidates in near future.