Amodiaquine-Azithromycin Eradicates Blood and Liver Stages of Plasmodium berghei Infection in 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

^*Corresponding Author

Elias Adikwu

Department of Pharmacology /Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University

Bayelsa State

Nigeria

Email: adikwuelias@gmail.com

Tel: +2347068568868

Abstract

Amodiaquine (AQ) is used as a partner drug with artemisinins for malaria treatment. Azithromycin (AZ) is a macrolide antibiotic with potential antiplasmodial activity. This study assessed whether AZ can be used as a partner drug with AQ for malaria treatment in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Adult Swiss albino mice (30-35g) of both sexes were randomly grouped and used. The mice were inoculated with Plasmodium berghei and orally treated with AQ (10 mg/kg), AZ (10 mg/kg) and AQ-AZ, respectively. Chloroquine CQ (10mg/kg) was used as the standard. At the termination of treatment, blood samples were collected and assessed for percentage parasitamia, inhibition and hematological markers. Liver samples were examined for histological changes. The mice were also observed for mean survival time (MST). In the curative, prophylactic and suppressive tests, AQ-AZ significantly decreased percentage parasitamia with difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to AQ or AZ. Curatively, AQ, AZ and AQ-AZ produced 71.41 %, 66. 80% and 92.60% parasitamia inhibitions, respectively when compared to 88.20% produced by CQ. The curative, prophylactic and suppressive tests showed significant prolongation of MST by AQ-AZ with difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to AQ or AZ. AQ-AZ inhibitions of Plasmodium berghei-induced alterations in hematological makers were characterized by increased red blood cells, packed cell volume, hemoglobin and decreased white blood cells with difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to AQ, or AZ. AQ-AZ eradicates vascular congestion and inflammatory cells observed in the liver of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. AZ can be used as a partner drug with AQ for the treatment of malaria.

Keywords: Amodiaquine, Azithromycin, Partner-Drug, Plasmodium, mice

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