LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY OF PHYSALIS ANGULATA

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified malaria as a neglected disease due to its high incidence in underdeveloped and developing countries. It is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted to humans most often through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The most commonly used pharmacological treatments are primaquine and chloroquine. However, the search for therapeutic alternatives based on medicinal plants shows promise, particularly regarding antioxidant and antimalarial activities, such as those of Physalis angulata. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate, through a literature review, the antioxidant and antimalarial potential of Physalis angulata extract. The methodology was an integrative literature review supported by Bardin's (2011) document analysis. Eleven (11) articles were selected, which demonstrated the potential of the plant in question as a promising biocompound due to the presence of several secondary compounds from the class of phenols and alkaloids that exhibit antioxidant and antimalarial capacity due to the inhibition of oxidative stress, and consequently its radicals, and hemozoin. Therefore, camapu has the potential to be a therapeutic alternative against malaria.