Figure 6: Proposed mechanism for BV reducing the growth of Plasmodium falciparum.

BV interacts with enolase decreasing its activity and glycolysis and, in turn, cell cycle progression. Moreover, BV and haem modulates phosphorylation of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α (eIF2α). Phosphorylated eIF2α is a stress response factor which acts in the reduction of translation to a basal level and consequently the arrest of the cell cycle of P. falciparum. RBC: Red Blood Cell. PM: Plasmodium falciparum plasma membrane.