Affiliation:
1. Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
2. Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Mefloquine (MQ) is an antimalarial drug with high efficacy, often used in the treatment and chemoprophylaxis of malaria. However, it has low solubility in water, a long elimination half-life (4 days), and is neurotoxic, which leads to unwanted side effects.
Methods
We investigated a lipid-based drug delivery system, Pheroid vesicles, in combination with MQ (Pheroid MQ), to promote future clinical use. MQ was incorporated into Pheroid vesicles and the formulations characterized. The formulations were evaluated in terms of in-vitro efficacy and toxicity. In-vivo bioavailability studies were conducted in C57 BL6 mice.
Key findings
The vesicles incorporated MQ with ∼63% entrapment efficiency. The IC50 values of MQ after 48-h incubation in chloroquine-resistant (RSA11) and chloroquine sensitive (3D7) strains, were reduced by ∼50% and ∼30% respectively. In-vivo bioavailability study revealed no change in the pharmacokinetic parameters of MQ, and the incorporation of the drug in Pheroid vesicles reduced the in-vitro haemolytic activity by ∼75%. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity against human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) of the free drug was reduced by ∼64% with Pheroid MQ.
Conclusions
Pheroid vesicles may therefore decrease the toxicity of MQ and thereby improve its therapeutic index, a strategy that may provide an effective alternative for malaria chemoprophylaxis and treatment.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Pharmaceutical Science,Pharmacology
Cited by
13 articles.
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