Genistein-supplemented diet decreases malaria liver infection in mice and constitutes a potential prophylactic strategy.
In tropical regions millions of people still live at risk of malaria infection. Indeed the emergence of resistance to chloroquine and other drugs in use in these areas reinforces the need to implement alternative prophylactic strategies. Genistein is a naturally occurring compound that is widely used as a food supplement and is thought to be effective in countering several pathologies. Results presented here show that genistein inhibits liver infection by the Plasmodium parasite, the causative agent of malaria. In vitro, genistein decreased the infection rates of both mouse and human hepatoma cells by inhibiting the early stages of the parasite's intracellular development. Oral or intraperitoneal administration of genistein decreased the liver parasite load of P. berghei-infected mice. Moreover, mice fed on a genistein-supplemented diet showed a significant reduction in Plasmodium liver infection as well as a reduced blood parasitemia and partial protection from severe disease. Since genistein is a safe, low-cost, natural compound that can be used permanently in a diet, we propose its use as a prophylactic agent against malaria for endemic populations and long-time travelers.
Cunha-Rodrigues
Margarida
M
Unidade de Malária, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Portugal
Sílvia
S
Prudêncio
Miguel
M
Gonçalves
Lígia A
LA
Casalou
Cristina
C
Buger
Dominik
D
Sauerwein
Robert
R
Haas
Werner
W
Mota
Maria M
MM
D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D010962:Plasmodium berghei; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D034101:Sporozoites
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D019833:Genistein