PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE: AN IMPORTANT DRUG TARGET FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW ANTIMALARIALS

Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH), a key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway of the malaria parasite, has emerged as a promising drug target due to its essential role in energy generation and its structural differences from human LDH. Several compounds, including natural products like TMDTP from Alstonia boonei, synthetic dihydroxynaphthoic acid analogues, and repurposed drugs such as posaconazole and atorvastatin, have demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against PfLDH. These inhibitors exhibit diverse binding modes and selectivity over human LDH, underscoring the potential of PfLDH as a target for developing new antimalarials with novel mechanisms of action. Continued research and optimization of PfLDH inhibitors are crucial to address the challenge of drug-resistant malaria.