Ultrastructural alterations in Plasmodium falciparum induced by chalcone derivatives.

The ultrastructural changes demonstrate the significant disturbance of all parasite membranes, including those of the nucleus, mitochondria and food vacuole, in association with a marked reduction of ribosomes in the trophozoites and cessation of developing schizonts which suggest multiple mechanisms of action by which chalcone derivatives act on the malaria parasite. The present study opens up perspectives for further exploration of these derivatives in vivo malaria model to discover more about its effect and mechanism of action.