29 research outputs found
Retained antigen-binding activity of Fab alpha fragments of human monoclonal immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) cleaved by IgA1 protease
The Formation of Antibodies Against Hidden Determinants of Autologous IgG During Immunization of Rabbits with Staphylococcus aureus
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A combination of unsweetened natural cocoa powder and artemether/lumefantrine: a strategy to improve malaria treatment outcomes
Background: Reports suggest that unsweetened natural cocoa powder (UNCP) has antiplasmodial activity and contains enough fat content to enhance the absorption of artemether/lumefantrine (A/L).
Objective: This study assessed the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of UNCP co-administered with A/L.
Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were infected with A/L-sensitive Plasmodium berghei. Rane’s curative model was used to assess the effect of the excipient UNCP (300 - 1500 mg/kg) formulated with A/L on parasite clearance. Additionally, healthy non-malarious male SD rats were co-administered orally with the fixed doses of A/L (recommended therapeutic dose of 2 mg/kg artemether and 12 mg/kg lumefantrine) with varying doses of UNCP (300, 600, 900, 1200 and 1500 mg/kg), to assess the effect of UNCP on the disposition of A/L. The number of mice in each group that were given each dose was five (n = 5). Plasma lumefantrine concentration was assayed using HPLC/UV-Vis.
Results: Co-administration of UNCP (1200 and 1500 mg/kg) with A/L caused a significant difference in parasite clearance compared to conventional A/L (Coartem®-only) or UNCP alone. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the peak serum concentration (Cmax) of lumefantrine for the A/L+UNCP (1200 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg) was higher than the Coartem®-only group. Additionally, the area under the lumefantrine concentration-time curve (AUC0→24) post-drug administration was higher for the A/L+UNCP (1200 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg) groups compared to the commercially obtained conventional A/L Coartem®-only group.
Conclusion: UNCP, co-administered with A/L, increased the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of A/L enhanced lumefantrine disposition (peak concentration and total drug exposure) in rats. Thus, it can be exploited as an excipient in the formulation of A/L for the management of uncomplicated malaria in humans