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Desferal, N-acetyl penicillamine (metal chelators) and propylgallate, catechin, and reduced glutathione (antioxidants) suppressed the erythrocytic oxidative damage generated during Plasmodium berghei infection in Mastomys coucha. Superoxide anion and lipid peroxide levels were increased and on the contrary, superoxide dismutase activity was noticeably decreased in the infected erythrocytes. Metal chelators/antioxidant treatment to infected animals resulted in restoration of O(2)(-), LPO and SOD to near normal levels. Furthermore, treatment of the above mentioned agents displayed a controlled mortality/survival time and parasitaemia. In conclusion, metal chelators/antioxidants were found to be effective against oxidative stress injury and parasite growth resulting in prolonged survival time of the host during experimental malaria., (Copyright 1999 Academic Press.)

A study has been made of counteracting the stress organ injury in Plasmodium infection by means of antioxidants on the premise that free radicals are responsible for causing the injury to stress organs. This was evidenced by drastically altered biochemical parameters in liver and spleen of the host in terms of elevated levels of lipid peroxides and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, and a fall in superoxide dismutase activity coupled with other drastic biochemical changes. The cardinal factor responsible for the above was considered to be XO which engenders free radicals purportedly responsible for the stress organ (biochemical) injury. Results demonstrate a lowering of lipid peroxide levels, xanthine oxidase activity, liver weight and modulation of protein level in liver of the host (mouse) in Plasmodium infection when treated with catechin, glutathione and propylgallate.