Short- and long-term effects of orally administered azithromycin on Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected mice

In vitro antitrypanosomal activity of synthesized nitrofurantoin-triazole hybrids against Trypanosoma species causing animal African trypanosomosis

Animal African trypanosomosis (AAT) is a disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. vivax, T. evansi and T. congolense which are mainly transmitted by tsetse flies (maybe the family/genus scientific name for the tsetse flies here?). Synthetic trypanocidal drugs are used to control AAT but have reduced efficacy due to emergence of drug resistant trypanosomes. Therefore, there is a need for the continued development of new safe and effective drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity of novel nitrofurantoin compounds against trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. evansi and T. congolense) causing AAT. This study assessed previously synthesized nineteen nitrofurantoin-triazole (NFT-TZ) hybrids against animal trypanosomes and evaluated their cytotoxicity using Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells. The n-alkyl sub-series hybrids, 8 (IC50 0.09 ± 0.02 μM; SI 686.45) and 9 (IC50 0.07 ± 0.04 μM; SI 849.31) had the highest anti-trypanosomal activity against T. b. brucei. On the contrary, the nonyl 6 (IC50 0.12 ± 0.06 μM; SI 504.57) and nitrobenzyl 18 (IC50 0.11 ± 0.03 μM; SI 211.07) displayed the highest trypanocidal activity against T. evansi. The nonyl hybrid 6 (IC50 0.02 ± 0.01 μM; SI 6328.76) was also detected alongside the undecyl 8 (IC50 0.02 ± 0.01 μM; SI 3454.36) and 3-bromobenzyl 19 (IC50 0.02 ± 0.01 μM; SI 2360.41) as the most potent hybrids against T. congolense. These hybrids had weak toxicity effects on the mammalian cells and highly selective submicromolar antiparasitic action efficacy directed towards the trypanosomes, hence they can be regarded as potential trypanocidal leads for further in vivo investigation.

In Vivo Efficacy of Curcumin and Curcumin Nanoparticle in Trypanosoma congolense, Broden 1904 (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae)-Infected Mice

Curcumin (CUR) is known for its wide folkloric effects on various infections; however, its solubility status has remained a hindrance to its bioavailability in the host. This study evaluated the comparative effects of CUR and CUR-nanoparticle in vitro on T. congolense, T. b. brucei, and T. evansi. Additionally, CUR and CUR-nanoparticle anti-Trypanosoma efficacy were assessed in vivo against T. congolense. All the CUR-nanoparticles were two folds more effective on the T. congolense as compared to CUR in vitro, with recorded efficacy of 3.67 ± 0.31; 7.61 ± 1.22; and 6.40 ± 3.07 μM, while the CUR-nanoparticles efficacy was 1.56 ± 0.50; 28.16 ± 9.43 and 13.12 ± 0.13 μM on T. congolense, T. b. brucei, and T. evansi, respectively. Both CUR and CUR-nanoparticles displayed moderate efficacy orally. The efficacy of CUR and CUR-nanoparticles in vivo was influenced by solubility, presence of food, and treatment period. CUR-treated mice were not cured of the infection; however, the survival rate of the orally treated mice was significantly prolonged as compared with intraperitoneal-treated mice. CUR-nanoparticles resulted in significant suppression of parasitemia even though relapsed was observed. In conclusion, CUR and CUR-nanoparticles possess moderate efficacy orally on the trypanosomes as compared to the intraperitoneal treatment.

Azithromycin and Diminazene Aceturate Combination Therapy in Experimental Multidrug-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infection in Albino Rats

Azithromycin and diminazene aceturate combination therapy in experimental multidrug-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in albino rats was evaluated. A total of forty-five female albino rats were used. These rats were randomly assigned to nine groups of five rats each. Group 1 was the uninfected-untreated group while groups 2 - 6 were infected with 1 × 10⁶ trypanosomes suspended in 0.3 ml of normal saline intraperitoneally. Following infection and parasitaemia, group 2 was untreated while group 3 was treated once with 7 mg/kg diminazene aceturate. Groups 4 - 6 were treated with 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg azithromycin respectively for 7 days. Groups 7 - 9 were treated with combination of 7 mg/kg diminazene aceturate (DA) once and 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg azithromycin (AZT) respectively for 7 days. Level of parasitaemia, haematological indices (packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), survivability, body weight and rectal temperature were used to assess the effectiveness of the combination therapy. A significant reduction in parasitaemia levels was observed in the DA-treated group and AZT-treated group 6 while clearance of parasitaemia was observed in the DA-AZT treated groups 7 - 9 for periods between 1 and 5 days post treatment. The haematological indices and survivability of the DA-AZT treated groups were better than the DA-treated group despite the relapse recorded in those groups. One rat each in the DA-AZT combination groups survived till the end of the experiment. In conclusion, the DA-AZT combination treatment can be used as a possible adjunct to DA in the treatment of multidrug-resistant T. brucei brucei. The combination also enhanced survivability and decreased the effect of the disease in rats.