From Plants to Pills: Malaria Treatment Advancements in India

Abstract

Since 2019, the world's primary focus has been shifted towards the new virus, i.e., coronavirus. So, on a priority basis, the global interest shifts increasingly to fighting a battle against this pandemic, but what about other infectious diseases like malaria? In regions with limited resources (Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia), malaria remains a significant health threat, transmitted by mosquitoes and caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Approximately 6,08,000 deaths were associated with malaria in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The severity of malaria depends upon the various stages of the malarial parasite life cycle (Transmission to humans, Exoerythrocytic Stage, Erythrocytic Stage, and Gametocyte Stage). Symptoms that appear within 7-10 days after a mosquito bite include discomfort, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle pain. Today, to make and confirm the diagnosis of malaria, a variety of direct and indirect methods are used, which take us towards the early identification and prevention of disease. Healthy collaborations between pharmacological and non-pharmacological fields are essential to developing malaria therapeutic strategies, with artificial intelligence also playing a supportive role. Meanwhile, WHO launched Global Technical Strategy 2016-2030 for Malaria eradication, which serves as a crucial framework guiding efforts to control and eliminate the disease. This study targets the historical roots of malaria, pathophysiological grounds, advancements in diagnostics and new treatment regimens, and adherence to government guidelines. Additionally, it also focuses on the scenario of India for the upliftment of Malaria Eradication Programme.