Publications

Research outputs, reports, policy briefs and knowledge products from KIU scholars and partners.

2025 Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES

Investigating the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Antimalarial Plants

Asiimawe Masika Agnovia

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.