green mussels (Perna viridis), found commonly in the Goa seawater, can yield malaria drugs, say scientists.
Two active molecules have been isolated from the mussel by researchers from the National Institute of Oceanography (nio), Goa; the National Centre for Cell Science, Pune; and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Delhi. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has been assigned a us patent for the discovery.
The team, led by Anil Chatterji of nio, began work on the antimalarial property of the mussel in 2004. It observed that the crude extract from the organism acts against Plasmodium falciparum, which is resistant to chloroquine. They purified the active ingredient and isolated two compounds -- called nio-1 and nio-2. The structure of these compounds was determined so that they could be prepared synthetically. In vitro studies showed that they killed the malaria parasite, with nio-2 being more effective. In vivo studies on mice confirmed their anti-malarial activity. No toxic side effects were seen and nio-2 was found effective even when given orally.
The researchers believe the compounds can be used in conjunction with the existing drugs against malaria. The drug made from the mussel is likely to be much cheaper than artemisinin used conventionally against falciparum malaria, says P S Parameswaran of nio.
The technique has been transferred to Mumbai-based Shreya Life Sciences Ltd., for commercial production for Rs 1.75 crore. The company will now have to carry out clinical trials to show the efficacy of the drug.
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