The antimalarial activity of indole alkaloids and hybrids

Malaria, caused by the genus Plasmodium, remains a global public health concern. It is estimated by the World Health Organization that over 40% of the world's population lives in areas at risk for malarial transmission, and around half a million people succumb to this infectious disease annually, which is related to the rapid spread of drug‐resistant parasite strains. Indole derivatives, which possess broad‐spectrum pharmacological properties, play a crucial role in the discovery of new drugs. Many indole derivatives exhibited potential in vitro and in vivo activity against both drug‐sensitive and drug‐resistant malaria, suggesting that the indole moiety is a useful template for the development of novel antimalarial agents. This review outlines the advances in indole alkaloids and hybrids with antimalarial potential in the recent decade. Many indole derivatives exhibited potential in vitro and in vivo activity against both drug‐sensitive and drug‐resistant malaria, suggesting that the indole moiety is a useful template for the development of novel antimalarial agents. This review outlines the current scenario of indole alkaloids and hybrids with potential therapeutic applications in the fight against malaria.