artesunate + curcumin

Artemisinin-based combination therapy with curcumin is an investigational approach for malaria treatment. Artesunate, a derivative of artemisinin, acts as a potent antimalarial by generating free radicals that damage the parasite's membranes and proteins. Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, has demonstrated antiplasmodial activity and may protect against oxidative stress induced by artesunate. When combined in polymeric nanoparticles (e.g., PLGA), these drugs show improved bioavailability and enhanced antimalarial efficacy compared to monotherapy or free drug forms. The combination has been shown to increase parasite suppression rates by 10–30% over individual agents in preclinical models.