ABSTRACT: ILs appear recently as potential target of study by pharmaceutical industry on search of new therapeutic agents. They are, by definition, organic salts that are stable above their melting point. Their main advantage is the numerous combinations made between the cation and the anion, which allow adjustments in their physicochemical and biological properties.

This drug concept, innovative in the field of antimalarials, is based on the distinct properties of ILs. Given that most antimalarial drugs are either acidic or basic, their pairing may produce ILs with dual activity and distinct physico-chemical and biochemical properties, suitable for their use as new formulations against malaria. They are based on well-known anti-infective activity and on simple ionic combination of two building blocks, one cationic, and one anionic, to form the final ILs; hence, no elaborate or expensive chemistry is required, which may be translated into medicines with real application in the field.

Several ILs were produced and screened for their antimalarial properties. Interesting results were obtained, which will be presented and discussed in this communication.