Malaria remains one of the most important infectious diseases in the world affecting hundreds of millions of people and causing up to 3 million deaths annually (mostly children). Difficulties in getting access to treatment, for both economic and geographical reasons, result in increased mortality.

The method of inducing edemas by applying carragenine to the feet of mice is a classic model for the study of products with anti-inflammatory activity. The byproducts of the metabolism of araquidonic acid via cecloxigenesis and the production of reactive species of oxygen are also involved.

Households in eleven geographically and ethnically distinct areas in Loreto, Peru, were interviewed about their knowledge and use of plants, for the treatment of malaria and leishmaniasis.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Selected Peruvian Amazon plants are macerated into sugar cane distillates to prepare alcoholic beverages used to improve male sexual performance. The tree bark from Campsiandra angustifolia Spruce ex Benth (Fabaceae), Swartzia polyphylla DC (Fabaceae), Minquartia guianensis Aubl.

In order to evaluate the antimalarial potential of traditional remedies used in Peru, Indigenous and Mestizo populations from the river Nanay in Loreto were interviewed about traditional medication for the treatment of malaria.

Cumanda will be used in humans because of the vital importance of carrying out these first-step tests. They will not only guarantee the quality of the product, but will also establish that there are no adverse side effects in humans who take the product.