In-vivo Antiplasmodial Impact of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine-Clindamycin on Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice  

¹ Department of Pharmacology /Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

² Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

³ Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

^*Corresponding Author

Nwakaego Omonigho Ebong

Department of Pharmacology

Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences

University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Nigeria

Email: nwakaebong@gmail.com

Tel: +2348132321014

Abstract

Objective: The concurrent use of antibiotics and antimalarial drugs may increase Plasmodium susceptibility. Clindamycin (C) is an antibiotic with potential antiplasmodial activity. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (D-P) is an effective antimalarial drug. This study examined the antiplasmodial effect of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine-clindamycin (D-P-C) on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Methods: Adult Swiss albino mice (25-30g) of n=6/group were used. Using the curative, suppressive and prophylactic tests, mice were infected with Plasmodium. berghei and orally treated per day with D-P (1.71/13.7mg/kg), C (10mg/kg) and D-P-C, respectively. The positive control was orally treated per day with chloroquine (CQ) (10 mg/kg) whereas the normal and the negative controls were orally treated per day with normal saline (0.2ml).

Results: In the curative, suppressive and prophylactic tests, D-P-C decreased percentage parasitemia levels with significant difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to individual doses of C, D-P and CQ.  D-P-C significantly prolonged mean survival time with difference observed at p< 0.05 when compared to individual doses of D and D-P. The anti-anemic effect of D-P-C was characterized by increased hemoglobin, red blood cells, packed cell volume and decreased white blood cells with significant difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to individual doses of C, D-P and CQ. Treatment with D-P-C eradicated liver Plasmodium.

Conclusion: D-P-C showed promising antiplasmodial activity. It may be used for the treatment of malaria.

Keywords: Artemisinin, Piperaquine, Clindamycin, Plasmodium, Mice

Download the full article (PDF)