Synthetic oleanane triterpenoids enhance blood brain barrier integrity and improve survival in experimental cerebral malaria

Background Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection associated with high mortality and neurocognitive impairment in survivors. New anti-malarials and host-based adjunctive therapy may improve clinical outcome in CM. Synthetic oleanane triterpenoid (SO) compounds have shown efficacy in the treatment of diseases where inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to pathogenesis.