Antiplasmodial Activity of Green-Synthesized MgO Nanoparticles Using Achillea  millefolium Against Chloroquine-Resistant and-Sensitive Plasmodium falciparum

Niloufar  Khamsehpour; Haleh  Hanifian; Mehdi   Nateghpour; Ahmad  Raeisi; Mohammad  Shabani; Gholamreza  Hasanpour; Aram  Khezri; Seyed Ahmad  Dehdast; Leila  Farivar; Saeed  Shahsavari

doi:10.18502/ajmb.v17i4.20071

Niloufar Khamsehpour Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Haleh Hanifian Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehdi Nateghpour Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Raeisi Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Shabani Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Gholamreza Hasanpour Center for Research Endemic Parasites of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Aram Khezri Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Ahmad Dehdast Center for Research Endemic Parasites of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Leila Farivar Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Saeed Shahsavari Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ajmb.v17i4.20071

Keywords: Achillea millefolium, Antimalarials, Chloroquine, Magnesium oxide, Malaria, Plasmodium falcipa-rum

Abstract

Background: Resistance to antimalarial medications, particularly in Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), has emerged as a significant challenge, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Green-synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) represent a promising approach to therapeutic interventions. This study presents one of the first detailed evaluations of green-synthesized MgO NPs derived from Achillea millefolium (A. millefolium) against both chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (K1) P. falciparum strains.

Methods: In this study, MgO NPs were biosynthesized using A. millefolium extracts with varying solvent ratios. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR, FESEM, and DLS techniques. Cytotoxicity was assessed via MTT and hemolysis assays. Their antiplasmodial efficacy was evaluated in vitro against chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and -resistant (K1) P. falciparum strains.

Results: The synthesized MgO NPs displayed quasi-spherical morphology and nanoscale size. Among tested formulations, the most effective showed IC₅₀ values of 0.17 mg/ml for the 3D7 strain and 0.76 mg/ml for the K1 strain, indicating significant antiplasmodial activity.

Conclusion: Green-synthesized MgO NPs using A. millefolium demonstrated potent antiplasmodial activity at low IC₅₀ concentrations, showing efficacy against both chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant P. falciparum strains. These findings highlight their promise as plant-based nanotherapeutics for malaria treatment.