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D’Abbrunzo I, Procida G, Perissutti B. Praziquantel Fifty Years on: A Comprehensive Overview of Its Solid State. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:27. [PMID: 38258039 PMCID: PMC10821272 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
This review discusses the entire progress made on the anthelmintic drug praziquantel, focusing on the solid state and, therefore, on anhydrous crystalline polymorphs, amorphous forms, and multicomponent systems (i.e., hydrates, solvates, and cocrystals). Despite having been extensively studied over the last 50 years, new polymorphs and the greater part of their cocrystals have only been identified in the past decade. Progress in crystal engineering science (e.g., the use of mechanochemistry as a solid form screening tool and more strategic structure-based methods), along with the development of analytical techniques, including Synchrotron X-ray analyses, spectroscopy, and microscopy, have furthered the identification of unknown crystal structures of the drug. Also, computational modeling has significantly contributed to the prediction and design of new cocrystals by considering structural conformations and interactions energy. Whilst the insights on praziquantel polymorphs discussed in the present review will give a significant contribution to controlling their formation during manufacturing and drug formulation, the detailed multicomponent forms will help in designing and implementing future praziquantel-based functional materials. The latter will hopefully overcome praziquantel's numerous drawbacks and exploit its potential in the field of neglected tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Beatrice Perissutti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy (G.P.)
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Revisiting the Dissolution of Praziquantel in Biorelevant Media and the Impact of Digestion of Milk on Drug Dissolution. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102228. [PMID: 36297662 PMCID: PMC9609124 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Praziquantel is a poorly water-soluble drug used to treat parasitic infections. Previous studies have suggested that its rate and extent of dissolution in milk and biorelevant media are slow and limited compared to dissolution in the pharmacopoeial-recommended medium, despite being reported as displaying a positive food effect upon administration. This study aimed to revisit the dissolution of praziquantel in biorelevant media and milk to better understand this apparent dichotomy. The context of digestion was introduced to better understand drug solubilisation under more relevant gastrointestinal conditions. The amount of praziquantel solubilised in the various media during digestion was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the kinetics of dissolution were confirmed by tracking the disappearance of solid crystalline drug using in situ small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). For the dissolution media, where sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is typically included as a wetting agent, a prominent effect of SLS on drug dissolution was also apparent where >2.5 fold more drug was solubilised in SLS-containing dissolution medium compared to that without (0.1 M HCl only). In milk, significant dissolution of praziquantel was observed only during digestion and not during dispersion, hence suggesting that (1) milk can be potentially administered with praziquantel to improve oral bioavailability and (2) incorporating a digestion step into existing in vitro dissolution testing can better reflect the potential for a positive food effect when lipids are present.
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Arafa WM, Elkomy MH, Aboud HM, Ali MI, Abdel Gawad SS, Aboelhadid SM, Mahdi EA, Alsalahat I, Abdel-Tawab H. Tunable Polymeric Mixed Micellar Nanoassemblies of Lutrol F127/Gelucire 44/14 for Oral Delivery of Praziquantel: A Promising Nanovector against Hymenolepis nana in Experimentally-Infected Rats. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102023. [PMID: 36297459 PMCID: PMC9608995 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hymenolepiasis represents a parasitic infection of common prevalence in pediatrics with intimidating impacts, particularly amongst immunocompromised patients. The present work aimed to snowball the curative outcomes of the current mainstay of hymenolepiasis chemotherapy, praziquantel (PRZ), through assembly of polymeric mixed micelles (PMMs). Such innovative nano-cargo could consolidate PRZ hydrosolubility, extend its circulation time and eventually upraise its bioavailability, thus accomplishing a nanoparadigm for hymenolepiasis tackling at lower dose levels. For consummating this goal, PRZ-PMMs were tailored via thin-film hydration technique integrating a binary system of Lutrol F127 and Gelucire 44/14. Box-Behnken design was planned for optimizing the nanoformulation variables employing Design-Expert® software. Also, in Hymenolepis nana-infected rats, the pharmacodynamics of the optimal micellar formulation versus the analogous crude PRZ suspension were scrutinized on the 1st and 3rd days after administration of a single oral dose (12.5 or 25 mg/kg). Moreover, in vitro ovicidal activity of the monitored formulations was estimated utilizing Fuchsin vital stain. Furthermore, the in vivo pharmacokinetics were assessed in rats. The optimum PRZ-PMMs disclosed conciliation between thermodynamic and kinetic stability, high entrapment efficiency (86.29%), spherical nanosized morphology (15.18 nm), and controlled-release characteristics over 24 h (78.22%). 1H NMR studies verified PRZ assimilation within the micellar core. Additionally, the in vivo results highlighted a significant boosted efficacy of PRZ-PMMs manifested by fecal eggs output and worm burden reduction, which was clearly evident at the lesser PRZ dose, besides a reversed effect for the intestinal histological disruptions. At 50 µg/mL, PRZ-PMMs increased the percent of non-viable eggs to 100% versus 47% for crude PRZ, whilst shell destruction and loss of embryo were only clear with the applied nano-cargo. Moreover, superior bioavailability by 3.43-fold with elongated residence time was measured for PRZ-PMMs compared to PRZ suspension. Practically, our results unravel the potential of PRZ-PMMs as an oral promising tolerable lower dose nanoplatform for more competent PRZ mass chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed M. Arafa
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Mohammed H. Elkomy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (M.H.E.); (I.A.)
| | - Heba M. Aboud
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
| | - Mona Ibrahim Ali
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Samah S. Abdel Gawad
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Shawky M. Aboelhadid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Emad A. Mahdi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Izzeddin Alsalahat
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 1TP, UK
- Correspondence: (M.H.E.); (I.A.)
| | - Heba Abdel-Tawab
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62521, Egypt
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Sabra ANA, Salem MB, William S, Hammam OA, El-Lakkany NM. Itraconazole, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, enhanced the efficacy of praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni infection and alleviated liver injury in mice. Exp Parasitol 2022; 239:108293. [PMID: 35667394 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of schistosomiasis is heavily reliant on the single antischistosomal drug praziquantel (PZQ). The use of synergistic drug-drug interactions is one possible solution, which could be used to mitigate PZQ's poor and variable bioavailability. Itraconazole (ITZ), a triazole antifungal agent, is a potent CYP3A inhibitor that can cause significant drug-drug interactions when used with CYP3A substrates. This study investigates the effect of ITZ as adjuvant therapy with PZQ on worm load, egg deposition and maturation, and the consequent histopathology and biochemical abnormalities in the liver during the immature and mature stages of Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infection. S. mansoni-infected mice were divided into five groups of eight-ten mice each: (I) infected untreated, (II) infected and treated with PZQ 3 weeks PI, (III) infected and treated with both ITZ and PZQ 3 weeks PI, (IV) infected and treated with PZQ 7 weeks PI, and (V) infected and treated with both ITZ and PZQ 7 weeks PI. All mice were killed by rapid decapitation 9 weeks PI. Data revealed that ITZ in combination with PZQ at both immature and mature stages improved the parasitological criteria of cure, and greatly reduced inflammation, granuloma and fibrotic tissue formation, and apoptosis versus PZQ alone. Furthermore, it showed the greatest impact on improving liver injury and oxidative stress markers. Notably, the effect was considerably stronger at the mature stage of S. mansoni infection. These findings support the notion that ITZ increased PZQ's antischistosomal activity by inhibiting CYP450 expression, potentially reducing PZQ metabolism and increasing systemic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maha B Salem
- Lecturer of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Samia William
- Professor of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Olfat A Hammam
- Professor of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.
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Praziquantel-encapsulated niosomes against Schistosoma mansoni with reduced sensitivity to praziquantel. BIOMÉDICA 2022; 42:67-84. [PMID: 35471171 PMCID: PMC9059922 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.5913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only commercially available drug for schistosomiasis. The current shortage of alternative effective drugs and the lack of successful preventive measures enhance its value. The increase in the prevalence of PZQ resistance under sustained drug pressure is, therefore, an upcoming issue. Objective: To overcome the tolerance to PZQ using nanotechnology after laboratory induction of a Schistosoma mansoni isolate with reduced sensitivity to the drug during the intramolluscan phase. Materials and methods: Shedding snails were treated with PZQ doses of 200 mg/kg twice/ week followed by an interval of one week and then repeated twice in the same manner. The success of inducing reduced sensitivity was confirmed in vitro via the reduction of cercarial response to PZQ regarding their swimming activity and death percentage at different examination times. Results: Oral treatment with a single PZQ dose of 500 mg/kg in mice infected with cercariae with reduced sensitivity to PZQ revealed a non-significant reduction (35.1%) of total worm burden compared to non-treated control mice. Orally inoculated PZQ- encapsulated niosomes against S. mansoni with reduced sensitivity to PZQ successfully regained the pathogen’s sensitivity to PZQ as evidenced by measuring different parameters in comparison to the non-treated infected animals with parasites with reduced sensitivity to PZQ. The mean total worm load was 1.33 ± 0.52 with a statistically significant reduction of 94.09% and complete eradication of male worms. We obtained a remarkable increase in the percentage reduction of tissue egg counts in the liver and intestine (97.68% and 98.56%, respectively) associated with a massive increase in dead eggs and the complete absence of immature stages. Conclusion: PZQ-encapsulated niosomes restored the drug sensitivity against laboratory- induced S. mansoni adult worms with reduced sensitivity to PZQ.
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Elmehy DA, Hasby Saad MA, El Maghraby GM, Arafa MF, Soliman NA, Elkaliny HH, Elgendy DI. Niosomal versus nano-crystalline ivermectin against different stages of Trichinella spiralis infection in mice. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2641-2658. [PMID: 33945012 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07172-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ivermectin (IVM) is one of the competitive treatments used for trichinellosis. However, several studies linked its efficacy with early diagnosis and administration to tackle the intestinal phase with limited activity being recorded against encysted larvae. The aim of this study was to employ niosomes for enhancing effectiveness of oral IVM against different stages of Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) infection with reference to nano-crystalline IVM. Mice were randomized into four groups: group Ι, 15 uninfected controls; group ΙΙ, 30 infected untreated controls; group ΙΙΙ, 30 infected nano-crystalline IVM treated, and group ΙV, 30 infected niosomal IVM treated. All groups were equally subdivided into 3 subgroups; (a) treated on the 1st day post infection (dpi), (b) treated on the 10th dpi, and (c) treated on the 30th dpi. Assessment was done by counting adult worms and larvae plus histopathological examination of jejunum and diaphragm. Biochemical assessment of oxidant/antioxidant status, angiogenic, and inflammatory biomarkers in intestinal and muscle tissues was also performed. Both niosomes and nano-crystals resulted in significant reduction in adult and larval counts compared to the infected untreated control with superior activity of niosomal IVM. The superiority of niosomes was expressed further by reduction of inflammation in both jejunal and muscle homogenates. Biochemical parameters showed highly significant differences in all treated mice compared to infected untreated control at different stages with highly significant effect of niosomal IVM. In conclusion, niosomal IVM efficacy exceeded the nano-crystalline IVM in treatment of different phases of trichinellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia A Elmehy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Marwa A Hasby Saad
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Gamal M El Maghraby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Mona F Arafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Nema A Soliman
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Heba H Elkaliny
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Dina I Elgendy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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Lombardo FC, Perissutti B, Keiser J. Activity and pharmacokinetics of a praziquantel crystalline polymorph in the Schistosoma mansoni mouse model. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2019; 142:240-246. [PMID: 31265895 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2019.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a global disease of significant public health relevance. Only one racemic drug, praziquantel, characterized by low bioavailability, low water solubility and extensive first pass metabolism, is currently available. We studied a new praziquantel formulation (polymorph B), which is based on a racemic praziquantel crystalline polymorph (TELCEU01). Its in vitro activity was tested on newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) and adult Schistosoma mansoni. In vivo studies were conducted in mice harboring chronic S. mansoni infections. Pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of R- and S-praziquantel and R- and S- polymorph B following oral administration with both formulations were generated by sampling mice at 30, 60, 240 min and 24 h post-treatment, followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. PK parameters were calculated using a non-compartmental analysis with a linear trapezoidal model. In vitro, commercial praziquantel and the polymorph B performed similarly on both NTS (IC50 = 2.58 and 2.40 µg/mL at 72 h) and adults (IC50 = 0.05 and 0.07 µg/mL at 72 h). Praziquantel showed higher in vivo efficacy with an ED50 of 58.75 mg/kg compared to an ED50 of 122.61 mg/kg for the polymorph B. The PK profiles of the two drugs exhibited differences: R-praziquantel showed an overall 40% higher area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC0→24) (R-praziquantel = 3.42; R-polymorph B = 2.05 h*µg/mL) and an overall 30% lower apparent clearance (Cl/F) (R-praziquantel = 70.68 and R-polymorph B = 97.63 (mg)/(µg/mL)/h). Despite the lack of improved activity and PK properties of polymorph B against S. mansoni, here presented; research on pharmaceutical polymorphism remains a valid and cost-effective option for the development of new praziquantel formulations with enhanced properties such as increased solubility and/or dissolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio C Lombardo
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; Universität Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Perissutti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, p.le Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; Universität Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland.
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Radwan A, El-Lakkany NM, William S, El-Feky GS, Al-Shorbagy MY, Saleh S, Botros S. A novel praziquantel solid lipid nanoparticle formulation shows enhanced bioavailability and antischistosomal efficacy against murine S. mansoni infection. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:304. [PMID: 31208446 PMCID: PMC6580642 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3563-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is responsible for a considerable global disease burden. This work aimed to improve the therapeutic outcome of the only available antischistosomal drug worldwide, praziquantel (PZQ), by incorporating it into a novel carrier, “solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs)”, to enhance its solubility, bioavailability and efficacy. A simple, cost-effective method was used to prepare SLN-PZQ. Results Compared to market PZQ (M-PZQ), SLN-PZQ was more bioavailable, as denoted by higher serum concentrations in both normal and infected mice where elevated Ka, AUC0–24, Cmax, and t1/2e with a decrease in kel were demonstrated. The AUC0–24 for SLN-PZQ in normal and Schistosoma mansoni-infected groups was almost nine- and eight-fold higher, respectively, than that for M-PZQ in corresponding groups. In normal and S. mansoni-infected mice, SLN-PZQ was detectable in serum at 24 h, while M-PZQ completely vanished 8 h post-treatment. Additionally, enhanced absorption with extended residence time was recorded for SLN-PZQ. Compared to M-PZQ, SLN-PZQ revealed superior antischistosomal activity coupled with enhanced bioavailability in all treated groups where higher percentages of worm reduction were recorded with all dosages tested. This effect was especially evident at the lower dose levels. The ED95 of SLN-PZQ was 5.29-fold lower than that of M-PZQ, with a significantly higher reduction in both the hepatic and intestinal tissue egg loads of all treated groups and almost complete disappearance of immature deposited eggs (clearly evident at the low dose levels). Conclusions SLN-PZQ demonstrated enhanced PZQ bioavailability and antischistosomal efficacy with a safe profile despite the prolonged residence in the systemic circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Radwan
- Research Department, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Naglaa M El-Lakkany
- Pharmacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
| | - Samia William
- Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
| | - Gina S El-Feky
- Pharmaceutical Technology Department, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Muhammad Y Al-Shorbagy
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.,School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Samira Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Sanaa Botros
- Pharmacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
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Meteleva ES, Chistyachenko YS, Suntsova LP, Khvostov MV, Polyakov NE, Selyutina OY, Tolstikova TG, Frolova TS, Mordvinov VA, Dushkin AV, Lyakhov NZ. Disodium salt of glycyrrhizic acid – A novel supramolecular delivery system for anthelmintic drug praziquantel. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Praziquantel systems with improved dissolution rate obtained by high pressure homogenization. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2018; 93:28-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Niosomes for enhanced activity of praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni: in vivo and in vitro evaluation. Parasitol Res 2018; 118:219-234. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6132-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Praziquantel in a clay nanoformulation shows more bioavailability and higher efficacy against murine Schistosoma mansoni infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:3501-8. [PMID: 25845870 DOI: 10.1128/aac.04875-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Consideration of existing compounds always simplifies and shortens the long and difficult process of discovering new drugs specifically for diseases of developing countries, an approach that may add to the significant potential cost savings. This study focused on improving the biological characteristics of the already-existing antischistosomal praziquantel (PZQ) by incorporating it into montmorillonite (MMT) clay as a delivery carrier to overcome its known bioavailability drawbacks. The oral bioavailability of a PZQ-MMT clay nanoformulation and its in vivo efficacy against Schistosoma mansoni were investigated. The PZQ-MMT clay nanoformulation provided a preparation with a controlled release rate, a decrease in crystallinity, and an appreciable reduction in particle size. Uninfected and infected mice treated with PZQ-MMT clay showed 3.61- and 1.96-fold and 2.16- and 1.94-fold increases, respectively, in area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 8 h (AUC0-8) and maximum concentration of drug in serum (Cmax), with a decrease in elimination rate constant (kel) by 2.84- and 1.35-fold and increases in the absorption rate constant (ka) and half-life (t1/2e) by 2.11- and 1.51-fold and 2.86- and 1.34-fold, respectively, versus the corresponding conventional PZQ-treated groups. This improved bioavailability has been expressed in higher efficacy of the drug, where the dose necessary to kill 50% of the worms was reduced by >3-fold (PZQ 50% effective dose [ED50] was 20.25 mg/kg of body weight for PZQ-MMT clay compared to 74.07 mg/kg for conventional PZQ), with significant reduction in total tissue egg load and increase in total immature, mature, and dead eggs in most of the drug-treated groups. This formulation showed better bioavailability, enhanced antischistosomal efficacy, and a safer profile despite the longer period of residence in the systemic circulation. Although the conventional drug's toxicity was not examined, animal mortality rates were not different between groups receiving the test PZQ-clay nanoformulation and conventional PZQ.
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Pakharukova MY, Shilov AG, Pirozhkova DS, Katokhin AV, Mordvinov VA. The first comprehensive study of praziquantel effects in vivo and in vitro on European liver fluke Opisthorchis felineus (Trematoda). Int J Antimicrob Agents 2015; 46:94-100. [PMID: 25862308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2015.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The European liver fluke Opisthorchis felineus (Rivolta, 1884) is an epidemiologically important parasite infecting mammals, including humans. Opisthorchis felineus is widespread in Russia, Kazakhstan and Eastern European countries. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for the treatment of opisthorchiasis, but the effects of this drug on O. felineus are poorly studied. The aims of this work were (i) to perform a study of PZQ effects in vitro, (ii) to identify morphological markers of PZQ action on O. felineus, (iii) to analyse damage to the worm surface and (iv) to assess the efficacy of PZQ in vivo in a hamster model. Light microscopy, optical sectioning and fluorescence microscopy were used to study morphological changes. In vivo, PZQ at a dose of 400mg/kg reduced the rate of infection in experimental acute and chronic opisthorchiasis in hamsters by 70% and 79%, respectively. In vitro, the drug caused destruction and vacuolisation of the tegument of O. felineus, contractions of the worm musculature, paralysis, and irreversible changes in morphology (IC50=0.14μg/mL). Differences in susceptibility to the drug between adult and newly excysted metacercariae were also observed. Qualitative effects of PZQ in vivo and in vitro were similar to the drug's effects on other trematodes, including epidemiologically important liver flukes. Nevertheless, high heterogeneity of O. felineus specimens in terms of susceptibility to the drug was observed. In addition, we describe for the first time the high rate of recovery of O. felineus following the destructive action of PZQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Y Pakharukova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics (ICG), Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 10 Lavrentiev Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, 2 Pirogov Street, Novosibirsk 630060, Russia.
| | - Alexander G Shilov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics (ICG), Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 10 Lavrentiev Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Darya S Pirozhkova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics (ICG), Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 10 Lavrentiev Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Alexey V Katokhin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics (ICG), Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 10 Lavrentiev Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Viatcheslav A Mordvinov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics (ICG), Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 10 Lavrentiev Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAMS), Tymakova 2, Novosibirsk 630060, Russia
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