Evaluating Antiplasmodial and Antimalarial Activities of Soybean (Glycine max) Seed Extracts on P. falciparum Parasite Cultures and P. berghei-Infected Mice

Abstract

Plasmodium parasite resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) calls for development of new, affordable, safe, and effective antimalarial drugs. Studies conducted previously on soybean extracts have established that they possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancerous, and antioxidant properties. The activity of such extracts on Plasmodium parasites has not been potentially exploited. Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the antiplasmodial activity of soybean extracts using Plasmodium falciparum cultures, followed by an in vivo evaluation of safety and antimalarial activity of the extracts in Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain-infected mice.