Greanious Alfred Alfrd Mavondo1, Musabayane Cephas Tagumirwa. 1. Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4000, South Africa; Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Science and Technology, Mpilo Hospital NUST Complex, Vera Road, P.O. AC939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Electronic address: 213574054@stu.ukzn.ac.za.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the influence of transdermal delivery of asiatic acid (AA) in Plasmodium berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats on physicochemical changes, %parasitaemia and associated pathophysiology. METHODS: A topical once-off AA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg)- or chloroquine (CHQ)-pectin patch was applied on the shaven dorsal neck region of Plasmodium berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats (90-120 g) on day 7 after infection. Eating and drinking habits, weight changes, malaria effects and %parasitaemia were compared among animal groups over 21 d. RESULTS: AA-pectin patch application preserved food and water intake together with %weight gain. All animals developed stable parasitaemia (15-20%) by day 7. AA doses suppressed parasitaemia significantly. AA 5 mg/kg patch was most effective. AA and CHQ displayed bimodal time-spaced peaks. CHQ patch had a longer time course to clear parasitaemia. CONCLUSIONS: AA influences bio-physicochemical changes and parasitaemia suppression in dose dependent manner. In comparison by dose administered, AA has much better efficacy than CHQ. AA may be a useful antimalarial. AA and CHQ displays bimodal peaks suggesting possible synergism if used in combination therapy.
OBJECTIVE: To report the influence of transdermal delivery of asiatic acid (AA) in Plasmodium berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats on physicochemical changes, %parasitaemia and associated pathophysiology. METHODS: A topical once-off AA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg)- or chloroquine (CHQ)-pectin patch was applied on the shaven dorsal neck region of Plasmodium berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats (90-120 g) on day 7 after infection. Eating and drinking habits, weight changes, malaria effects and %parasitaemia were compared among animal groups over 21 d. RESULTS: AA-pectin patch application preserved food and water intake together with %weight gain. All animals developed stable parasitaemia (15-20%) by day 7. AA doses suppressed parasitaemia significantly. AA 5 mg/kg patch was most effective. AA and CHQ displayed bimodal time-spaced peaks. CHQ patch had a longer time course to clear parasitaemia. CONCLUSIONS: AA influences bio-physicochemical changes and parasitaemia suppression in dose dependent manner. In comparison by dose administered, AA has much better efficacy than CHQ. AA may be a useful antimalarial. AA and CHQ displays bimodal peaks suggesting possible synergism if used in combination therapy.