Editorial (Thematic Issue: Development of Natural Products as Anti-Parasitic Agents)

Parasites are eukaryotic pathogens and largely include protozoa, helminths and arthropods that cause different diseases to human. Parasitic diseases have a significant impact on developing countries and it has raised the mortality rate to various millions per year. Despite the recent progress, no vaccines are presently available against any of the major parasitic infections of humans. Chemotherapy remains the only option for both clinical and control management. However, conventional drugs are present with features that limit their utility, such as high cost, poor compliance, drug resistance, low efficacy and poor safety. There is thus a clear need for new therapeutic agents against parasites infections.