Genistein-supplemented diet decreases malaria liver infection in mice and constitutes a potential prophylactic strategy
Publication year
2008Source
PLoS One, 3, 7, (2008), article e2732ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

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Organization
Medical Microbiology
Journal title
PLoS One
Volume
vol. 3
Issue
iss. 7
Subject
N4i 3: Poverty-related infectious diseases; N4i 4: Auto-immunity, transplantation and immunotherapy; NCMLS 1: Immunity, infection and tissue repair; NCMLS 1: Infection and autoimmunity; UMCN 4.1: Microbial pathogenesis and host defenseAbstract
In tropical regions millions of people still live at risk of malaria infection. Indeed the emergence of resistance to chloroquine and other drugs in use in these areas reinforces the need to implement alternative prophylactic strategies. Genistein is a naturally occurring compound that is widely used as a food supplement and is thought to be effective in countering several pathologies. Results presented here show that genistein inhibits liver infection by the Plasmodium parasite, the causative agent of malaria. In vitro, genistein decreased the infection rates of both mouse and human hepatoma cells by inhibiting the early stages of the parasite's intracellular development. Oral or intraperitoneal administration of genistein decreased the liver parasite load of P. berghei-infected mice. Moreover, mice fed on a genistein-supplemented diet showed a significant reduction in Plasmodium liver infection as well as a reduced blood parasitemia and partial protection from severe disease. Since genistein is a safe, low-cost, natural compound that can be used permanently in a diet, we propose its use as a prophylactic agent against malaria for endemic populations and long-time travelers.
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- Academic publications [229074]
- Electronic publications [111459]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [87745]
- Open Access publications [80295]
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