Am. J. Biomed. Sci. 2022,14(3),136-145;doi:10.5099/aj220300136 © 2022 by NWPII. All rights reserved
136
American Journal of
Biomedical Sciences
ISSN: 1937-9080
nwpii.com/ajbms
Amodiaquine-Azithromycin Eradicates Blood and Liver Stages of
Plasmodium berghei Infection in Mice
Elias Adikwu
1
, Igono Simeon Ajeka
2
, Confidence Ogechi Nworgu
2
1
Department of Pharmacology /Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
2
Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education,
Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
*
Corresponding Author
Elias Adikwu
Department of Pharmacology /Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University
Bayelsa State
Nigeria
Email: adikwuelias@gmail.com
Tel: +2347068568868
Received:07 May 2022; | Revised:02 July 2022; | Accepted:14 September 2022
Abstract
Amodiaquine (AQ) is used as a partner drug with artemisinins for malaria treatment. Azithromycin (AZ)
is a macrolide antibiotic with potential antiplasmodial activity. This study assessed whether AZ can be used
as a partner drug with AQ for malaria treatment in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Adult Swiss albino
mice (30-35g) of both sexes were randomly grouped and used. The mice were inoculated with Plasmodium
berghei and orally treated with AQ (10 mg/kg), AZ (10 mg/kg) and AQ-AZ, respectively. Chloroquine CQ
(10mg/kg) was used as the standard. At the termination of treatment, blood samples were collected and
assessed for percentage parasitamia, inhibition and hematological markers. Liver samples were examined for
histological changes. The mice were also observed for mean survival time (MST). In the curative,
prophylactic and suppressive tests, AQ-AZ significantly decreased percentage parasitamia with difference
observed at p<0.05 when compared to AQ or AZ. Curatively, AQ, AZ and AQ-AZ produced 71.41 %, 66.
80% and 92.60% parasitamia inhibitions, respectively when compared to 88.20% produced by CQ. The
curative, prophylactic and suppressive tests showed significant prolongation of MST by AQ-AZ with
difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to AQ or AZ. AQ-AZ inhibitions of Plasmodium berghei-
induced alterations in hematological makers were characterized by increased red blood cells, packed cell
volume, hemoglobin and decreased white blood cells with difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to
AQ, or AZ. AQ-AZ eradicates vascular congestion and inflammatory cells observed in the liver of
Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. AZ can be used as a partner drug with AQ for the treatment of malaria.
Keywords: Amodiaquine, Azithromycin, Partner-Drug, Plasmodium, mice