An antiseptic used in some brands of toothpaste, mouthwash and soap may be an effective anti-malarial agent. In the first study to show malaria-fighting effects of the chemical, called triclosan, the investigators found that mice injected with the compound were cleared of malaria infections.

Malaria, estimated to afflict nearly 400 million people worldwide, is caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. Symptoms can include jaundice, kidney failure, high fever and severe anemia.

The new findings suggest triclosan injections or tablets may offer an alternative to existing treatments, but other research will need to confirm its safety in humans. Triclosan works by blocking the parasite's production of fatty acids, which are essential for parasite growth and development.

The mechanism that parasites use to produce fatty acids is the same as that in some plants and bacteria, but different to the way human cells produce them. Therefore, it is possible to specifically interfere with the parasite's machinery without affecting human cells.

There are no human studies using triclosan for malaria. Triclosan or related drugs might be useful as an additional weapon in our fight against malaria.

Nature Medicine 2001;7:149-150, 167-173