SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT OF MALARIA PARASITES IS INHIBITED IN-VITRO BY THE NEEM EXTRACT AZADIRACHTIN, AND ITS SEMISYNTHETIC ANALOGS

We have shown that azadirachtin, a compound from the neem tree, Azadir achta indica, and selected semi-synthetic derivatives, block the devel opment of the motile male malarial gamete in vitro. Changes in the hem iacetal group at position C,I in the molecule result in a loss of acti vity in this assay. The motility of fully formed male gametes, and oth er selected flagellated cells, is unaffected by azadirachtin in vitro. These findings raise the possibility of developing azadirachtin-based compounds as antimalarials with transmission-blocking potential, as w ell as permitting the further study of structure-activity relationship s in these compounds.