Cycloprodigiosin hydrochloride obtained from Pseudoalteromonas denitrificans is a potent antimalarial agent

Abstract

Cycloprodigiosin hydrochloride (cPrG·HCl) is a stable fluorescent red pigment obtained from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas denitrificans. It was found that the compound was incorporated into Plasmodium falciparum cells upon incubation and exhibited a potent antimalarial activity with the concentration required for 50% of the activity being 11 nM, which is stronger than that of chloroquine, a well-known antimalarial agent. The compound did not affect growth rate of mammalian cells. Antimalarial activity of cPrG·HCl was also observed in vivo. These results indicate that cPrG·HCl is a potent antimalarial drug.