JNU researchers develop sugar candies that could treat malaria in children
Added: (Fri May 27 2022)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
An acute illness, Malaria, has been a challenge globally with researchers working to develop effective drugs and treatment. A team led by researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has developed a unique medicine to treat malaria — sugar candies.
Natural sugar alcohol candies have been found effective against malaria and could be used among children below five years of age. The researchers have identified Erythritol, which is commonly used, as a sweetener, and as a potent antimalarial.
Erythritol, the sugar alcohol, is an organic compound that is used as a food additive and sugar substitute. "Why bother when you could just treat malaria in children with candies? That's what we want to do," professor Shailja Singh from JNU's Special Centre for Molecular Medicine said about her new findings.
According to the study, Erythritol binds to and passes by the malaria parasite Aquaporin channel and inhibits the growth malaria parasite. Erythritol, which is naturally occurring, can also be made from corn using enzymes and fermentation and s a four-carbon sugar that is found naturally in algae, fungi, and lichens.
Researchers said that the parasite growth in human blood leads to cerebral malaria in children below 5 years of age in tropical countries. Shailja Singh thinks that the sugar candy may be able to kill most parasites while leaving enough in the blood to help children develop resistance.
"If the candy will be supplemented with existing artemisinin therapy, it will be more effective to treat both malaria and cerebral malaria in children," Shailja said in a statement.
Erythritol is available in MorSweet Lite from Amazon. Click here: https://amzn.to/3LRVq1G