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Resveratrol may decrease P. falciparum virulence
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Resveratrol, a component found in red wine, may decrease the virulence of Plasmodium falciparum by weakening cytoadherence and rosetting in vivo, new findings presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 59th Annual Meeting suggest.
Previous research has indicated that resveratrol has beneficial effects on cancer and the heart, yet no data exist on the association between the compound and treatment for malaria or other infectious diseases.
Jordan A. Zuspann and colleagues at the NIH hypothesized that resveratrol impairs the cytoadherence and rosetting of P. falciparum-infected red blood cells. For the study, the researchers infected red blood cells with P. falciparum in the presence of increasing concentrations of resveratrol.
Resveratrol led to a 57% reduction in the ability of P. falciparum to adhere to the body’s cells lining small blood vessels. According to the researchers, this reduction in binding to blood vessels is predicted to greatly lessen the probability of developing severe clinical manifestations of malaria.
Moreover, resveratrol decreased rosette frequencies in a dose-dependent matter by as much as 40%.
“Our results demonstrate the possibility of a new therapy to treat severe malaria,” Zuspann said in a press release. “We hope that we have identified a way to ameliorate the severity of malaria in young African children.”
“As we work toward eliminating malaria, it’s essential that we control and treat the disease as much as possible,” Edward T. Ryan, MD, ASTMH president, said in a press release. “Any potential breakthrough in malaria treatment needs to be ardently pursued and studied. That’s why funding for research in this area remains so critical.”
Zuspann said further investigation is needed to confirm these early but promising results.
For more information:
- Zuspann JA. Presented at: the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 59th Annual Meeting; Nov. 3-7, 2010; Atlanta.
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