Bioactive compounds in anacardium occidentale and their role in antimalarial activity: A phytochemical perspective

Anacardium occidentale, commonly known as cashew, is a tropical plant with a long history of use in traditional medicine for treating various ailments, including malaria. The plant's bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, have been shown to exhibit significant pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimalarial effects. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition of Anacardium occidentale, particularly focusing on its potential role in malaria treatment. Using advanced High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) techniques, bioactive compounds such as quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, and ferulic acid were identified and quantified from the plant extracts. The results showed that the plant contains high concentrations of quercetin and kaempferol, which have been extensively studied for their antimalarial properties, inhibiting the growth of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Other compounds such as rutin, hesperidin, and phenolic acids like P-hydroxybenzoic acid also contributed to the plant's therapeutic potential. These findings suggest that Anacardium occidentale is a valuable source of bioactive compounds that could enhance the development of novel antimalarial treatments. The study highlights the importance of integrating traditional plant-based remedies with modern scientific techniques, such as phytochemical profiling, to discover effective alternatives to synthetic drugs. Further research is necessary to explore the synergistic effects of these compounds and their potential in clinical applications for malaria therapy.