Scientists Create Deadly Human Blood for Flies
New Drug Nitinone Paralyzes Mosquitoes, Aiding in Malaria Control
Scientists have discovered a new drug called Nitinone that could potentially aid in the control of malaria by paralyzing mosquitoes. This comes as an alternative to the drug Ivermectin, which has raised concerns about environmental harm and resistance development with excessive use.
In a study published in Science Translation Medicine magazine, researchers found that Nitinone could suppress the mosquito population and help in the prevention of diseases spread by insects such as malaria. Lee Haines of Liverpool Tropical Medical School stated that making the blood of animals and people toxic to blood-sucking insects could be an effective method in controlling malaria.
Nitinone, typically used in the treatment of rare hereditary diseases like alkaptonuria and tyrosinemia type 1, works by inhibiting a specific enzyme in the body. When given to mosquitoes, the drug was found to quickly kill the insects by stopping blood digestion, making them unable to fly and leading to paralysis.
The study conducted on female Anopheles Gambiae mosquitoes, the primary carrier of malaria, showed that Nitinone had a longer-lasting effect in human blood compared to Ivermectin. Moreover, the drug was effective in killing not only young mosquitoes but also elderly and resistant mosquitoes, which are more likely to spread malaria.
Dr. mentioned that the alternating use of Nitinone and Ivermectin in mosquito control may prove advantageous in the future. However, further research is needed to determine the most effective dose of the drug before widespread implementation can be considered.
Overall, Nitinone shows promise as a potential tool in reducing malaria risk and controlling mosquito populations, offering a new solution in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.
