Antimalarial Activity of Eco-friendly Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt. against Plasmodium berghei

Malaria is one of the life-threatening infectious diseases caused by the Plasmodium parasites infect red blood cells of humans. The major problem associated with malaria treatment and control is the spread and development of resistance against chemical insecticides. Hence, the plant-based formulations may serve as an alternative source for the development of new drugs for the treatment of malaria. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of synthesized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using the aqueous leaves extract of Coccinia grandis against Plasmodium berghei and characterized by UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy with Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with selected area (electron) diffraction analyzes. The UV-Vis spectra of Au NPs showed a surface plasmon resonance peak range of 500–600 nm. The TEM image revealed the spherical shape with a mean particle size of 2.82 ± 2.5 nm. The in vivo antimalarial activity of synthesized Au NPs showed a significant (P < 0.001) chemosuppressive effect, with parasite suppression of 88.75%, compared to aqueous extracts of C. grandis showed 69.45% against P. berghei at 100 mg/kg body weight. To sum up, further phytochemical research is required in the future to standardize C. grandis compounds with strong antiplasmodial activity and devise the best alternative nano herbal formulation to replace the synthetic drugs currently in use.