A systematic review on anti-malarial drug discovery and antiplasmodial potential of green synthesis mediated metal nanoparticles: overview, challenges and future perspectives

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Loick P. Kojom Foko, Francois Eya’ane Meva, Carole E. Eboumbou Moukoko, Agnes A. Ntoumba, Marie I. Ngaha Njila, Philippe Belle Ebanda Kedi, Lawrence Ayong, Leopold G. Lehman
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2019
• Subjects: Metal nanoparticles; Green synthesis; Antiplasmodial activity; Toxicity; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic; Prisma
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-019-2974-9; https://doaj.org/article/bd2d0400e9794911b01166afc22f5e0b

Abstract Background The recent emergence in Southeast Asia of artemisinin resistance poses major threats to malaria control and elimination globally. Green nanotechnologies can constitute interesting tools for discovering anti-malarial medicines. This systematic review focused on the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles as potential source of new antiplasmodial drugs. Methods Seven electronic database were used following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results A total of 17 papers were included in the systematic review. 82.4% of the studies used plant leaves to produce nanoparticles (NPs) while three studies used microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Silver was the main metal precursor for the synthesis of NPs. The majority of studies obtained nanoparticles spherical in shape, with sizes ranging between 4 and 65 nm, and reported no or little cytotoxic effect of the NPs. Results based on 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) varied between studies but, in general, could be divided into three NP categories; (i) those more effective than positive controls, (ii) those more effective than corresponding plant extracts and, (iii) those less effective than the positive controls or plant extracts. Conclusions This study highlights the high antiplasmodial potential of green-synthesized metal nanoparticles thereby underscoring the possibility to find and develop new anti-malarial drugs based on green synthesis approaches. However, the review also highlights the need for extensive in vitro and in vivo studies to confirm their safety in humans and the elucidation of the mechanism of action. Graphical abstract