In-vitro and in-vivo antimalarial activity of caffeic acid and some of its derivatives.

Objectives: To explore the in-vitro and in-vivo antimalarial potential of caffeic acid and derivatives.

Methods: Two common phenolic acids (caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid) were evaluated for in-vitro and in-vivo antiplasmodial activity in comparison with some semi-synthetic derivatives that were synthesized. An in-vitro assay based on plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase activity, and the classical in-vivo 5-day suppressive test from Peters on an artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium berghei strain was used.