In-vivo Antiplasmodial Effect of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine-Nitrofurantoin on Plasmodium berghei- Infected Mice

Nitrofurantoin (NT) used for the treatment of urinary tract infections may have antiplasmodial activity. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) is an artemisinin based combination therapy used for the treatment of malaria. This study evaluated the antiplasmodial effect of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine-nitrofurantoin (DP-NT) on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Adult Swiss albino mice (30-35 g) of both sexes were used. The mice were randomly grouped, inoculated with Plasmodium berghei, and treated orally with DP (1.7/13.7 mg/kg), NT (57.1 mg/kg) and DP-NT (1.71/13.7/ 57.1 mg/kg), respectively using curative, prophylactic and suppressive tests. The negative control was orally treated with normal saline (0.3 mL), while the positive control was orally treated with chloroquine CQ (10mg/kg). After treatment, blood samples were collected and evaluated for percentage parasitemia, inhibitions and hematological parameters. Liver samples were evaluated for histological changes. The mice were observed for mean survival time (MST). Treatment with DP-NT decreased parasitemia levels when compared to individual doses of DP and NT with significant difference observed at p<0.05. DP-NT prolonged MST when compared to individual doses of DP and NT with significant difference observed at p<0.05. The decrease in packed cell volume, red blood cells, hemoglobin and increase in white blood cells in parasitized mice were significantly restored by DP-NT when compared to individual doses of DP and NT with difference observed at p<0.05. DP-NT eradicated liver Plasmodium parasite. NT remarkably increased the antiplasmodial activity of DP. DP-NT may be used for the treatment of malaria.