title: Asiatic acid-pectin hydrogel matrix patch transdermal delivery system influences parasitaemia suppression and inflammation reduction in P. berghei murine malaria infected Sprague-Dawley rats.
abstract: To report the influence of transdermal delivery of asiatic acid (AA) in Plasmodium berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats on physicochemical changes, %parasitaemia and associated pathophysiology.
  
  
  
  A topical once-off AA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg)- or chloroquine (CHQ)-pectin patch was applied on the shaven dorsal neck region of Plasmodium berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats (90-120 g) on day 7 after infection. Eating and drinking habits, weight changes, malaria effects and %parasitaemia were compared among animal groups over 21 d.
  
  
  
  AA-pectin patch application preserved food and water intake together with %weight gain. All animals developed stable parasitaemia (15-20%) by day 7. AA doses suppressed parasitaemia significantly. AA 5 mg/kg patch was most effective. AA and CHQ displayed bimodal time-spaced peaks. CHQ patch had a longer time course to clear parasitaemia.
  
  
  
  AA influences bio-physicochemical changes and parasitaemia suppression in dose dependent manner. In comparison by dose administered, AA has much better efficacy than CHQ. AA may be a useful antimalarial. AA and CHQ displays bimodal peaks suggesting possible synergism if used in combination therapy.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4000, South Africa; Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Science and Technology, Mpilo Hospital NUST Complex, Vera Road, P.O. AC939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Electronic address: 213574054@stu.ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Greanious Alfred
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Alfrd Mavondo
authors.forename: Musabayane Cephas
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tagumirwa
keywords: Asiatic acid; Malaria inflammation; Malaria parasitaemia; Patch; Plasmodium berghei; Transdermal delivery system