Malaria is a severe life-threatening disease caused by the bites of parasite-infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It remains a significant problem for the most vulnerable children and women. Recent research has helped establish the relationship between microRNAs (miRNAs) and many other diseases. MiRNAs are the class of small non-coding RNAs consisting of 18–23 nucleotides in length that are evolutionarily conserved and regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level and play a significant role in various molecular mechanisms such as cell survival, cell proliferation, and differentiation. MiRNAs can help detect malaria infection as the malaria parasite could alter the miRNA expression of the host. These alterations can be diagnosed by the molecular diagnostic tool that can indicate disease. We summarize the current understanding of miRNA during malaria infection. miRNAs can also be used as biomarkers, and initial research has unearthed their potential in diagnosing and managing various diseases such as malaria.

The severe form of malaria, i.e., cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is a complex neurological syndrome. Surviving persons have a risk of behavioral difficulties, cognitive disorders, and epilepsy. Cerebral malaria is associated with multiple organ dysfunctions. The adhesion and accumulation of infected RBCs, platelets, and leucocytes (macrophages, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and monocytes) in the brain microvessels play an essential role in disease progression. Micro-vascular hindrance by coagulation and endothelial dysfunction contributes to neurological damage and the severity of the disease. Recent studies in human cerebral malaria and the murine model of cerebral malaria indicate that different pathogens as well as host-derived factors are involved in brain microvessel adhesion and coagulation that induces changes in vascular permeability and impairment of the blood-brain barrier. Efforts to alleviate blood-brain barrier dysfunction and de-sequestering of RBCs could serve as adjunct therapies. In this review, we briefly summarize the current understanding of the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, the role of some factors (NK cells, platelet, ANG-2/ANG-1 ratio, and PfEMP1) in disease progression and various functions of Mesenchymal stem cells. This review also highlighted the implications of MSCs as a regenerative medicine.