World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

LC–MS–DRIVEN QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND CYTOTOXIC EVALUATION OF ARTESUNATE IN PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM CELL LINE CULTURES

Ghousia Begum*, Dr. Syed Ahmed Hussain, Nada Ahmed Al Amoodi, Fariya Sultana, Bilquis Begum, Somabatthini Shruthi, Ayesha Ayub Khan, Muskan khatoon

ABSTRACT

This study compares the in vitro antiplasmodial efficacy and host-cell cytotoxicity of Artesunate and Artemisinin using Plasmodium falciparum cultures maintained in human red blood cells (RBCs). A five-assay panel quantified both parasite viability and RBC safety. Parasite inhibition was evaluated using SYBR Green I fluorescence and parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) activity assays, while host-cell cytotoxicity was assessed via hemolysis, host LDH release, and Annexin V binding. Artemisinin demonstrated superior potency, reducing parasite viability and metabolic activity to 18–22%, whereas Artesunate achieved moderate inhibition (39–41%). However, Artesunate exhibited increased RBC cytotoxicity, with hemolysis (14%), LDH release (18%), and eryptosis (24%) substantially higher than Artemisinin (3–5%). These results indicate that Artemisinin possesses higher antiparasitic selectivity and lower erythrotoxicity, while Artesunate displays moderate efficacy but greater host-cell stress, likely due to its rapid hydrolysis and oxidative reactivity. Overall, Artemisinin remains the more selective and potent compound in P. falciparum in-vitro models.

[Full Text Article]   [Download Certificate]