A means and method for treating malaria, schistosomiasis, and cancer using a
spiro
or dispiro 1,2,4-trioxolane is described. The preferred 1,2,4-trioxolanes include
a spiroadamantane group on one side of the trioxolane group, and a spirocyclohexyl
on the other side of the trioxolane group, whereby the spirocyclohexyl ring is
preferably substituted at the 4-position. In comparison to artemisinin semisynthetic
derivatives, the compounds of this invention are structurally simple, easy to synthesize,
non-toxic, and potent against malarial parasites.
