Red blood cells which are infected with the parasite P. falciparum cause the cells to become sticky and less deformable. This results in a build-up of cells on the vascular wall and creates occulsions to blood flow which are thought to cause the cerebral, renal and liver complications of P. falciparum infections. Certain esters of castanospermine prevent or reduce the adhesion of falciparum infected blood cells to the vascular endothelial wall and are a useful adjunct in the treatment of malaria.
感染了恶性疟原虫寄生虫的红细胞会使细胞变得粘稠,不易变形。这导致细胞在血管壁上堆积,造成血流闭塞,据认为这是恶性疟原虫感染引起脑、肾和肝并发症的原因。某些
蓖麻油酯可防止或减少受恶性疟原虫感染的血细胞粘附在血管内皮壁上,是治疗疟疾的有效辅助药物。