Ferriprotoporphyrin IX and Hemozoin (FP-IX/Hemozoin)

Ferriprotoporphyrin IX (heme) and hemozoin are central to the survival of Plasmodium species during their infection of human erythrocytes (PubMed: 16122410). As the parasite consumes host hemoglobin within its acidic digestive vacuole, it releases free heme, which is highly toxic due to its ability to generate reactive oxygen species and membrane-disrupting properties (PubChem: CID 5702152). To mitigate this toxicity, the parasite converts free heme into hemozoin, an inert crystalline polymer often referred to as malaria pigment (PubMed: 24039111). Piperaquine, a long-acting bisquinoline antimalarial, exerts its effect by accumulating in the digestive vacuole and binding to ferriprotoporphyrin IX (PubMed: 16122410). This interaction prevents the incorporation of heme into hemozoin crystals, causing an accumulation of toxic heme-drug complexes that lead to the lysis of the parasite's membranes and subsequent cell death (StatPearls: NBK548521).

Other names

HemeMalaria pigmentBeta-hematinFerriprotoporphyrin IXFP-IXHemozoin

Inhibition of heme biocrystallization into hemozoin, leading to the accumulation of toxic free ferriprotoporphyrin IX and subsequent oxidative damage to the parasite.