Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Artemisinin Delivery: Overcoming Resistance in Severe Pediatric Malaria

Nasira A. Sitar

Department of Pharmacy Kampala International University Uganda

Satar.nasira@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

                                                                               ABSTRACT
Severe pediatric malaria remained a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub–Saharan Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, despite widespread deployment of artemisinin-based combination therapies. Artemisinin derivatives acted rapidly against Plasmodium falciparum, yet emerging resistance associated with parasite stress response pathways and Kelch13 mutations threatens their sustained clinical efficacy, particularly in vulnerable pediatric populations with altered pharmacokinetic profiles. This review examined the potential of nanostructured lipid carriers as advanced delivery systems to enhance artemisinin bioavailability, stability, and therapeutic performance in severe childhood malaria. The article was developed through a critical synthesis of contemporary literature spanning malaria pathophysiology, pharmacology of artemisinin, nanocarrier engineering, and translational pediatric therapeutics. Evidence indicated that nanostructured lipid carriers improved drug solubility, prolonged systemic circulation, enabled controlled release, and enhanced intracellular accumulation within parasitized erythrocytes, thereby potentially mitigating mechanisms of partial resistance. Furthermore, these systems offered opportunities for dose optimization and combination therapy while maintaining favorable safety profiles. Nanostructured lipid carriers represented a promising strategy to restore and sustain artemisinin efficacy in severe pediatric malaria, and targeted translational research is warranted to accelerate clinical implementation.

Keywords: Severe pediatric malaria, Artemisinin resistance, Nanostructured lipid carriers, Drug delivery systems, Plasmodium falciparum.

CITE AS: Nasira A. Sitar (2026). Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Artemisinin Delivery: Overcoming Resistance in Severe Pediatric Malaria. IDOSR JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 11(2):85-89. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJSR/2026/11.2.8589