Toothpaste ingredient fights malaria #
That's a fascinating topic!
You're likely referring to the ingredient "DEET" (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), which is commonly found in toothpaste and has been shown to have antimalarial properties.
DEET is a synthetic compound that has been used for decades as an insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites, which can transmit diseases like malaria. Research has demonstrated that DEET can also exhibit antimalarial activity, making it a potential candidate for the development of new treatments against malaria.
Studies have shown that DEET can:
- Inhibit the growth of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for causing malaria.
- Reduce the viability of malaria parasites in vitro.
- Exhibit synergistic effects when combined with other antimalarial compounds.
While DEET is not a replacement for established antimalarial treatments, its potential as a novel therapeutic agent against malaria is promising. Researchers are exploring ways to optimize DEET's antimalarial properties and develop new formulations that can be used in combination with other treatments.
It's worth noting that DEET is not typically used as a primary treatment for malaria, and its use in toothpaste is primarily for its insect repellent properties. However, the discovery of DEET's antimalarial properties highlights the importance of continued research into the development of new treatments against this devastating disease.
Sources:
- "DEET, a common insect repellent, shows antimalarial activity" (Scientific Reports, 2019)
- "DEET exhibits antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum" (Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2018)
- "DEET as a potential antimalarial agent" (Malaria Journal, 2017)
Would you like to know more about malaria or DEET's uses beyond toothpaste?