Investigating the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Antimalarial Plants                                                

Asiimawe Masika Agnovia

Department of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry Kampala International University Uganda

Email: agnovia.asiimawe@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

ABSTRACT

The global burden of malaria, especially from Plasmodium falciparum, underscores the urgent need for effective, affordable, and accessible treatments. Traditional medicinal plants have long served as a primary health resource in malaria-endemic regions, offering bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic potential. This study investigates the pharmacological mechanisms of antimalarial plants, emphasizing the isolation, characterization, and biological action of plant-derived compounds. Drawing upon both ethno botanical knowledge and modern pharmacological methodologies, it explores how these natural agents affect the parasite’s lifecycle by targeting heme detoxification, protein kinases, mitochondrial electron transport, and biosynthetic pathways. Phytochemical analyses and in vitro/in vivo assays are reviewed to highlight their efficacy and safety profiles. Additionally, the paper discusses synergistic interactions with existing antimalarial drugs, isolation techniques, and the translational challenges from bench to bedside. By bridging traditional medicine and modern drug discovery, this research provides a foundation for the development of novel, plant-based antimalarial therapeutics with multi-target efficacy.

Keywords: Antimalarial plants, Plasmodium falciparum, phytochemicals, heme detoxification, drug resistance, ethnopharmacology, bioassay-guided isolation.

CITE AS: Asiimawe Masika Agnovia (2025). Investigating the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Antimalarial Plants. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES 5(3):65-72. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJSES/2025/5316572