Determination of the optimal EDTA and Pentostam concentration in the treatment of Leishmania donovani-infected laboratory animal rodent models

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to undertake a dose response study to determine the optimal Pentostam and Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) dose that could be used in the treatment of leishmania-infected golden hamsters or BALB/c mice for a period of 30 days. This pilot experiment was done using only one chelator; EDTA and the toxicity results obtained from this experiment formed the basis for the selection of a suitable chelator dose of this class for the future treatment of leishmania-infected laboratory animal rodent models. It is concluded that Pentostam concentrations beyond 600 mg/kg are highly toxic to mice and therefore unsuitable for use. Although Pentostam have been used to treat leishmania-infected BALB/c mice; this study has shown that a concentration of 100 mg/KG/day is the most suitable dose for use in the treatment of rodent animal models