Evaluating the hydrodynamic cavitation-derived green tea catechins for their anti-malarial activity against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is becoming increasingly challenging due to the rise in drug-resistant strains. Green tea catechins, bioactive polyphenols from Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, exhibit potential anti-malarial properties. This study explores the efficacy of a catechin complex extracted using hydrodynamic cavitation, a method designed to enhance bioavailability through the generation of amorphous crystalline structures rich in cis (epi) catechins. Catechins were extracted from Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze leaves using hydrodynamic cavitation. Chromatographic methods quantified total polyphenols, catechins, and caffeine. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterized the extract's physical state. Anti-malarial activity was assessed using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase pLDH and radiolabelled hypoxanthine assays, determining IC₅₀ values against the NF54 strain of P. falciparum. Chromatographic analysis revealed eight catechins with high cis (epi) catechin content. SEM confirmed an amorphous crystalline structure, promoting enhanced bioavailability. The catechin complex exhibited significant anti-malarial activity with an IC₅₀ of 10 µg/ml. At IC₅₀, hypoxanthine uptake was significantly suppressed, indicating metabolic disruption. Higher catechin concentrations inhibited over 80 % of hypoxanthine incorporation, impairing critical nucleotide synthesis pathways. This study highlights hydrodynamic cavitation as a transformative extraction approach, improving catechin efficacy for malaria treatment, especially in combating drug-resistant strains.