Piperaquine

Piperaquine is not a molecular therapeutic target like a receptor, enzyme, or transporter; rather, it is a small molecule drug used as an antimalarial agent, typically in combination with dihydroartemisinin[1][9][6]. Therefore, referring to "Piperaquine" as a target is incorrect. Piperaquine is a synthetic aminoquinoline antimalarial drug—specifically, an orally active bisquinoline—that was first synthesized in the 1960s and extensively used in China before resistance and alternative drugs limited its use[1][9][6]. It is commonly employed as part of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), such as dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults and children[4][9][6][10]. Its mechanism of action, which is not completely elucidated, is expected to resemble that of chloroquine—it is believed to inhibit the heme detoxification pathway in the malaria parasite’s food vacuole[9][6]. Piperaquine’s long-lasting activity aids post-treatment prophylaxis and prevents new infections after initial parasite clearance by fast-acting drugs like artemisinin derivatives[4][8]. In summary, Piperaquine is a small molecule antimalarial drug used as part of combination therapies to treat uncomplicated malaria, not a molecular target or receptor. Its listing as a "target" in a structural information schema is incorrect; it should be categorized as a therapeutic agent[1][9][6][4][2].

Other names

PiperaquinePiperaquinoline1,3-Bis(4-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)piperazin-1-yl)propaneQuinoline, 4,4'-(1,3-propanediyldi-4,1-piperazinediyl)bis[7-chloro-4085-31-8 (CAS)

Inhibition of heme detoxification pathway within Plasmodium food vacuole (similar to chloroquine)