Sargassum algae shows potential in combating cerebral malaria

Researchers in Panama have discovered that sargassum, a macroalgae often considered a nuisance to Caribbean tourism, contains compounds that may combat cerebral malaria. A study conducted in 2023 by biotechnology expert Lorena Coronado, biology researcher Noemí León de Santos, and student Isaac Almanza found that extracts from the algae significantly inhibit the growth of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.

The parasite is the cause of cerebral malaria, one of the most lethal forms of the disease. Laboratory tests indicated that the sargassum compound was highly active against the parasite without being toxic to healthy human cells. The findings were published in the scientific journal Integrative and Comparative Biology.

Despite the promising results, the research project is currently stalled due to a lack of funding. Further studies are required to move into the mechanism of action phase and conduct testing on mice. The initial project was supported by the National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Senacyt) in Panama.