Malaria is on the rise because many drugs are no longer effective against the parasite that causes the disease. Not only is malaria found in tropical countries but the disease is spreading among North Americans and Europeans.
To find new treatments, scientists have to find safe doses of drugs that kill the parasite without harming humans. An antiseptic called triclosan appears to do the trick. It's used in household products like toothpaste and deodorants.
The researchers found triclosan blocks a bacterial enzyme called Fabl. Animals like humans use a very different set of enzymes, so triclosan does not harm us.
"This common, inexpensive antimicrobial is remarkably effective against these parasites," said first author Dr. Rima McLeod.
The University of Chicago researcher and her colleagues discovered triclosan interfered with the parasite's ability to make fatty acids and build its cellular membranes.
Preventing resistance
Triclosan was even effective against strains of the malaria parasite, Plasmodia falciparum, that were resistant to common anti-malaria drugs.
The researchers think triclosan could be combined with other enzyme blockers to punch more holes in the parasite's ability to make fatty acids. That way, the parasite will be less likely to become resistant to drugs in the future.