The Potential use of a Curcumin-Piperine Combination as an Antimalarial Agent: A Systematic Review

Figure 4

An illustration to explain the mechanism of action of curcumin-piperine combination as an antimalarial in animal models. When Swiss mice are infected with P. berghei ANKA strain, they show malaria symptoms and die between 8 and 12 days. Piperine alone inhibits phosphorylation of NF kappa B prevents leukocyte infiltration, but hepatic necrosis and hyperplasia of Kupffer cells remain visible. The animals eventually die due to parasite build up, causing hepatosplenomegaly and weight loss. Curcumin alone is also known to inhibit the phosphorylation of NF kappa B preventing leukocyte infiltration, hepatic necrosis, and hyperplasia of Kupffer cells. Thus, hepatosplenomegaly and weight loss are not seen. However, the animal eventually died by almost 20 days due to parasite build up and anemia. However, if the animals are given piperine and curcumin combination, the parasites are cleared and the animals are completely protected against mortality. Thus, while curcumin counteracts the inflammatory response, piperine potentiates the effects of curcumin, making this combination as a potential therapy for preventing malaria.