Asiatic acid-pectin hydrogel matrix patch transdermal delivery system influences parasitaemia suppression and inflammation reduction in P. berghei murine malaria infected Sprague-Dawley rats

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.

Asiatic acid-pectin hydrogel matrix patch transdermal delivery system influences parasitaemia suppression and inflammation reduction in P. berghei murine malaria infected Sprague–Dawley rats

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.