Green-Synthesized Nanoparticles As Emerging Therapeutics for Malaria: Advances, Mechanisms, and Translational Prospects Publisher



Farzaneh Z ; Dehdast S A ; Chavshin A ; Nateghpour M ; Hanifian H
Source: Journal of Nanotechnology Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a major global health challenge, aggravated by the increasing multidrug-resistant Plasmodium strains and insecticide-resistant Anopheles vectors. Although advances in nanotechnology have created new opportunities for better drug delivery, conventional nanoparticle synthesis often relies on toxic chemicals and energy-intensive processes that limit biomedical applicability. Green synthesis, which employs plant extracts, microorganisms, algae, and biopolymers as reducing and stabilizing agents for nanoparticle production, has emerged as an environmentally sustainable strategy with considerable potential for antimalarial therapy. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, WHO databases, and Google Scholar was conducted for studies published between 2010 and 2025 using the keywords green synthesis, biogenic nanoparticles, antimalarial, Plasmodium, plant-mediated nanoparticles, and biopolymer nanoparticles. Eligible studies included original articles reporting synthesis, characterization, in vitro or in vivo antiplasmodial activity, or mechanistic analyses of green-synthesized nanoparticles. Reviews, nonmalaria studies, and articles lacking experimental data were excluded. Results: A wide range of green-synthesized nanoparticles, including silver, gold, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, and chitosan-based systems, have shown significant antiplasmodial activity. These nanoparticles exert their antiplasmodial effects through multiple mechanisms, including the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), disruption of parasite membrane integrity, inhibition of hemozoin formation and glycolytic pathways, and enhanced delivery of conventional antimalarial drugs. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated significant reductions in parasitemia with low cytotoxicity compared with chemically synthesized nanoparticles. Green-synthesized nanoparticles often exhibit improved stability and biocompatibility owing to natural capping agents derived from plants and microorganisms. Conclusion: Green-synthesized nanoparticles are an effective, environmentally friendly, and mechanistically versatile platform for developing next-generation antimalarial therapeutics. However, challenges like standardization, long-term toxicity assessments, and pharmacokinetic profiling must be addressed before clinical procedures. Future research integrating nanotechnology and molecular parasitology strategies may accelerate the development of safer and more effective therapies against malaria. Copyright © 2026 Zahra Farzaneh et al. Journal of Nanotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.