Effects of Synthetic Siderophores on Proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum in Infected Human Erythrocytes

Because iron is essential for Plasmodium falciparum, we investigated the in vitro potential of various synthetic siderophores to kill P. falciparum in infected human erythrocytes. The substances with the most promising profile, i.e., low 50% lethal doses for plasmodia and minimum toxicity towards mammalian cells, were siderophores with an acylated monocatecholate or a triscatecholate as substituent.