Asiatic acid influences parasitaemia reduction and ameliorates malaria anaemia in P. berghei infected Sprague-Dawley male rats.
BACKGROUND
Current malaria treatment is either "anti-parasitic", "anti-infectivity" or both without addressing the pathophysiological derangement (anti-disease aspect) associated with the disease. Asiatic acid is a natural phytochemical with oxidant, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties whose effect on malarial and accompanying pathophysiology are yet to be investigated. Asiatic acid influence in P. berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats on %parasitaemia and malarial anaemia were investigated.


METHODS
Plasmodium berghei-infected rats (90-120 g) were orally administered with Asiatic acid (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and 30 mg/kg chloroquine as a positive control. Changes in %parasitaemia and haematological parameters in Asiatic acid administered rats were monitored in a 21 day study and compared to controls.


RESULTS
All animals developed stable parasitaemia (15-20 %) by day 7. Asiatic acid doses suppressed parasitaemia, normalised haematological measurements and influenced biophysical characteristics changes. Most positive changes were associated with intragastric administration of 10 mg/kg Asiatic acid dose. Peak %parasitaemia in Asiatic acid administration occurred at days 12 with a shorter time course compared to day 9 for chloroquine (30 mg/kg) treatment with a longer time course.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral Asiatic acid administration influenced %parasitaemia suppression, ameliorated malarial anaemia and increased biophysical properties on infected animals. Asiatic acid may be a replacement alternative for chloroquine treatment with concomitant amelioration of malaria pathophysiology. Due to different action time courses, Asiatic acid and chloroquine may be possible candidates in combination therapy.
Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Westville Campus, Durban, 4000, South Africa. 213574054@stu.ukzn.ac.za.
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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5466-051X
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Mavondo
Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Westville Campus, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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Mkhwananzi
Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Westville Campus, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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MV
Mabandla
Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Westville Campus, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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CT
Musabayane
D000740:Anemia / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000962:Antimalarials; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D002738:Chloroquine; C017032:asiatic acid
Asiatic acid; Chloroquine; Malaria parasitaemia; Plasmodium berghei