Anthracene-polyamine conjugates inhibit in vitro proliferation of intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum parasites

Anthracene-polyamine conjugates inhibit the in vitro proliferation of the intraerythrocytic human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) in the nM to μM range. The compounds are taken up into the intraerythrocytic parasite, where they arrest the parasite cell cycle. Both the anthracene and polyamine components of the conjugates play a role in their antiplasmodial effect.