Effectiveness of Sambiloto leaf extract as an antimalarial through plasmodium heme polymerization inhibition: A review

Background: Malaria remains a significant and persistent public health challenge in Indonesia and other tropical regions. This disease is caused by the Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes and subsequently infect hepatocytes in the liver. Despite the long history of antimalarial drug development, resistance by Plasmodium species has led to diminishing effectiveness of conventional treatments such as chloroquine and artemisinin. Consequently, there is renewed interest in herbal remedies, such as Andrographis paniculata (sambiloto), which may offer alternative therapeutic options.
Objective: To elucidate the pharmacological potential of sambiloto leaf extract as an antimalarial agent.
Method: This study involves a comprehensive literature review of scientific reports, including practical reports, case studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, published within the past decade. The review was conducted through reputable scientific databases, including ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar.
Result: The pharmacological efficacy of Andrographis paniculata leaf extracts is attributed to their high concentration of andrographolides, which have demonstrated the capability to inhibit heme polymerization in Plasmodium parasites. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed the safety and non-toxic nature of these extracts. Given the current state of genetic resistance in Plasmodium, the use of andrographolide extracts presents a promising avenue for effective malaria treatment.
Conclusion: The concentrated andrographolide extract from Andrographis paniculata leaves exhibits significant antimalarial activity by targeting and inhibiting heme polymerization in Plasmodium. This suggests that it could serve as a viable alternative or complement to existing antimalarial therapies