KIU Publications

Malaria remained a major global health challenge, with uncomplicated malaria accounting for most clinical cases in endemic regions. Artemisinin-based combination therapy remained the cornerstone of treatment, and lumefantrine played a crucial role as the long-acting partner drug in artemether-lumefantrine therapy. However, lumefantrine exhibits poor aqueous solubility, erratic intestinal absorption, and strong dependence on dietary lipids, resulting in highly variable bioavailability and suboptimal therapeutic exposure in some patients. The purpose of this review was to examine the role of polymeric nanoparticle drug delivery systems in enhancing lumefantrine bioavailability and improving therapeutic outcomes in uncomplicated malaria. A structured narrative review methodology was used to synthesize findings from peer-reviewed literature on lumefantrine pharmacokinetics and polymeric nanoparticlebased drug delivery. Evidence indicated that polymeric nanoparticles improved lumefantrine solubility, protected the drug from premature metabolism, enhanced intestinal permeability, and sustained plasma drug concentrations, thereby improving antimalarial efficacy in experimental models. These systems also reduced dependence on dietary fat and provided more predictable pharmacokinetic profiles. Polymeric nanoparticle formulations therefore represented a promising strategy for optimizing lumefantrine therapy and improving malaria treatment outcomes. Further clinical evaluation and scalable manufacturing approaches were recommended to support translation into routine malaria treatment.