An Alternative Paradigm for the Role of Antimalarial Plants in Africa
Author
Source
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-9, 9 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-04-19
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
9
Main Subjects
Natural & Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
Medicine
Information Technology and Computer Science
Abstract EN
Most investigations into the antimalarial activity of African plants are centered on finding an indigenous equivalent to artemisinin, the compound from which current frontline antimalarial drugs are synthesized.
As a consequence, the standard practice in ethnopharmacological research is to use in vitro assays to identify compounds that inhibit parasites at nanomolar concentrations.
This approach fails to take into consideration the high probability of acquisition of resistance to parasiticidal compounds since parasite populations are placed under direct selection for genetic that confers a survival advantage.
Bearing in mind Africa's long exposure to malaria and extensive ethnobotanical experimentation with both therapies and diet, it is more likely that compounds not readily overcome by Plasmodium parasites would have been retained in the pharmacopeia and cuisine.
Such compounds are characterized by acting primarily on the host rather than directly targeting the parasite and thus cannot be adequately explored in vitro.
If Africa's long history with malaria has in fact produced effective plant therapies, their scientific elucidation will require a major emphasis on in vivo investigation.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Maranz, Steven. 2012. An Alternative Paradigm for the Role of Antimalarial Plants in Africa. The Scientific World Journal،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-513089
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Maranz, Steven. An Alternative Paradigm for the Role of Antimalarial Plants in Africa. The Scientific World Journal No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-513089
American Medical Association (AMA)
Maranz, Steven. An Alternative Paradigm for the Role of Antimalarial Plants in Africa. The Scientific World Journal. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-513089
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-513089