Targeting and Inhibiting Plasmodium falciparum Using Ultra-small Gold Nanoparticles

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Abstract
Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Plasmodium species, claims more than 400,000 lives globally each year. Increasing drug resistance of the parasite renders the development of new anti-malaria drugs necessary. Alternatively, better delivery systems for already marketed drugs could help to solve the resistance problem. Herein, we report glucose-based ultra-small gold nanoparticles (Glc-NCs) that bind to cysteine-rich domains of Plasmodium falciparum surface proteins. Microscopy shows that Glc-NCs bind specifically to extracellular and all intra-erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum. Glc-NCs may be used as drug delivery agents as illustrated for ciprofloxacin, a poorly soluble antibiotic with low antimalarial activity. Ciprofloxacin conjugated to Glc-NCs is better water soluble than the free drug and is more potent. Glyco-gold nanoparticles that target cysteine-rich domains on parasites may be helpful for the prevention and treatment of malaria.
Funding Information
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (RTG 2046)
  • Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

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