Raza M, Bharti H, Chauhan C, Singal A, Jha D, Ghosh PC, Nag A. Enhanced anti-malarial efficacy of mefloquine delivered via cationic liposome in a murine model of experimental cerebral malaria.
Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024;
197:114210. [PMID:
38340876 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114210]
[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: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is a longstanding global health challenge that continues to afflict over 90 countries located in tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. The rise of drug-resistant malarial parasites has curtailed the therapeutic efficacy of a number of once-effective anti-malarials, including mefloquine. In the present study, we have taken advantage of drug encapsulation approach to elevate the anti-malarial potential of mefloquine. Encouragingly, our findings unveil that liposomal formulations of mefloquine outperform equivalent doses of free mefloquine, both in laboratory cultures and in a murine model of malaria. Intriguingly, a cationic liposomal mefloquine formulation, administered at four successive doses of 3 mg/kg body weight, achieves complete resolution of cerebral malaria in the murine model while avoiding noticeable toxic repercussions. Altogether, our study furnishes pre-clinical validation for a therapeutic strategy that can remarkably enhance the drug efficacy, offering a revitalizing solution for failing anti-malarials.
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