Hemozoin (beta-hematin) Formation Inhibitors: Promising Target for the Development of New Antimalarials: Current Update and Future Prospect

Background: Malaria is responsible for social and economic burden in most lowincome malaria-affected countries. Thus, newer antimalarials are needed to tackle morbidities and mortalities associated with the drug-resistant malarial strains. Haemoglobin digestion inside the food vacuole of malarial parasite would lead to producing redox-active and toxic-free heme. The detoxification process adopted by Plasmodium sp. would give rise to hemozoin (Hz) (betahematin) formation. Targeting the pathway of hemozoin formation is considered a validated target for the discovery of newer antimalarials. Objective: This study aims to collect detailed information about aspects of hemozoin (Hz) (betahematin) inhibitors. Methods: A systemic search has been carried out using PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI, etc., for relevant studies having the keyword, 'hemozoin or beta-hematin' for almost the last 2 decades (2000-2021). Results: This review tries to summarize all the recent advancements made for the developments of synthetic, natural isolated phytoconstituents and plant extracts inhibiting the hemozoin (betahematin) formation. Conclusion: Thus they would act as promising antimalarial candidates in the near future.