Antimalarial Potential of Medicinal Plants: Phytochemical Insights and Host-Directed Strategies

Background: Malaria remains a significant global health threat, with rising drug resistance undermining the efficacy of standard therapies. Historically, plant-derived compounds such as quinine and artemisinin have served as cornerstones in antimalarial treatment.Objective: This review explores the antimalarial potential of medicinal plants, emphasisingphytochemical classes, their mechanisms of action, and host-directed strategies to combat emerging resistance.Methods: Relevant literature on alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, and phenolics with antiplasmodial activity was reviewed. Evidence from in vitro studies, animal models, and pilot clinical evaluations was analysed.Results: Plant-derived compounds exert antimalarial effects via diverse mechanisms, including inhibition of heme detoxification, ROS generation, DNA intercalation, and modulation of host AMPK signalling. Flavonoids, in particular, restore cellular energy regulation by reactivating AMPK, depriving Plasmodium of critical metabolic substrates.Conclusion: Phytochemicals offer a promising complementary strategy for malaria treatment. Their multi-target activity and host-directed actions present a low-resistance-risk profile. Future clinical translation requiresstanderisation, formulationoptimisation, and regulatory integration. How to cite this article:Vaghela U P, Jani B, Kalaria K, Tank T, Kanabar V, Parekh K, Shah R K, Yadav R, Yadav P, Yadav R. Antimalarial Potential of Medicinal Plants: Phytochemical Insights and Host-Directed Strategies. J Commun Dis. 2025;57(3):174-181. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202584