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 Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 337 - 14
• Main Authors: Kojom Foko, Loick P, Eya'ane Meva, Francois, Eboumbou Moukoko, Carole E, Ntoumba, Agnes A, Ngaha Njila, Marie I, Belle Ebanda Kedi, Philippe, Ayong, Lawrence, Lehman, Leopold G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 03-10-2019; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Analysis; Antimalarials; Antimalarials - chemical synthesis; Antiplasmodial activity; Artemisinins - pharmacology; Bacteria; Biological products; Biosynthesis; Control; Drug discovery; Drug Discovery - trends; Drugs; Green synthesis; Malaria; Malaria - drug therapy; Metal nanoparticles; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Metals (Materials); Microorganisms; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Plasmodium falciparum - drug effects; Pyrimethamine; Silver; Toxicity; Southeast Asia; Metal nanoparticles; Antiplasmodial activity; Green synthesis; Toxicity
• ISSN: 1475-2875; 1475-2875
• DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2974-9

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.
Seven electronic database were used following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
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.
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.