title: Bio-inspired artemether-loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles for effective control of malaria-infected erythrocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The intra-erythrocytic development of the malarial parasite is dependent on active uptake of nutrients, including human serum albumin (HSA), into parasitized red blood cells (pRBCs). We have designed HSA-based nanoparticles as a potential drug-delivery option for antimalarials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Artemether-loaded nanoparticles (AANs) were designed and antimalarial activity evaluated in vitro/in vivo using Plasmodium falciparum/Plasmodium berghei species, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Selective internalization of AAN into Plasmodium-infected RBCs in preference to healthy erythrocytes was observed using confocal imaging. In vitro studies showed 50% dose reduction for AAN as compared with drug-only controls to achieve IC50levels of inhibition. The nanoparticles exhibited twofold higher peak drug concentrations in RBCs with antimalarial activity at 50% of therapeutic doses in P. bergei infected mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Novel HSA-based nanoparticles offer safe and effective approach for selective targeting of antimalarial drugs.
authors.affiliation: CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400049, India.
authors.forename: Aditi A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sidhaye
authors.affiliation: CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400049, India.
authors.forename: Kanchan C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Bhuran
authors.affiliation: CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400049, India.
authors.forename: Sneha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zambare
authors.affiliation: School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester, M5 4WT, UK.
authors.forename: Munna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abubaker
authors.affiliation: School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester, M5 4WT, UK.
authors.forename: Niroshini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nirmalan
authors.affiliation: CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400049, India.|School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK.
authors.forename: Kamalinder K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: artemether; human serum albumin nanoparticles; malaria; parasitized RBCs