Pyronaridine is an

antimalarial drug Antimalarial medications or simply antimalarials are a type of antiparasitic chemical agent, often naturally derived, that can be used to treat or to prevent malaria, in the latter case, most often aiming at two susceptible target groups, young c ...

. It was first made in 1970 and has been in clinical use in China since the 1980s. In a small (n=88) malaria study in Camaroon, pyronaridine had a 100% cure rate, compared with 60% for

chloroquine Chloroquine is an antiparasitic medication that treats malaria. It works by increasing the levels of heme in the blood, a substance toxic to the malarial parasite. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading. Certain types ...

. It is one of the components of the

artemisinin combination therapy Antimalarial medications or simply antimalarials are a type of antiparasitic chemical agent, often naturally derived, that can be used to treat or to prevent malaria, in the latter case, most often aiming at two susceptible target groups, young c ...

pyronaridine/artesunate (Pyramax). It has also been studied as a potential anticancer drug, and treatment for Ebola. The combination of pyronaridine and artesunate has been evaluated to have a synergistic effect of stronger antiviral effect and less toxicity. The combination of pyronaridine and artesunate is being studied as a possible treatment for moderate to severe SARS-COV-2.

References

Antimalarial agents Chinese discoveries {{antiinfective-drug-stub