Publication:

Anti-plasmodial activity of artemether-lumefantrine-tinidazole on plasmodium falciparum infected humans

Background The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum has intensified the search for effective compounds. This study aimed to evaluates the combined effects of tinidazole and artemether/lumefantrine on human participants infected with P. falciparum.

Methods The study involved 25 non-infected adults as controls and 75 infected adults, divided into three groups of 25. The groups were treated orally with 1g of Tinidazole (T) twice daily for 3 days, an 8-hourly initial dose followed by 12-hourly 80mg/480mg doses of Artemether/Lumefantrine (AL) for 3 days, and a combination of 1g tinidazole and artemether/lumefantrine (80mg/480mg) for 3 days. Venous blood samples were taken on days 0, 4, and 14 to evaluate renal function, parasitemia, hematological parameters, lipid profiles, and antioxidant measures (catalase, SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde).

Results The percentage recovery with AL, T, and the combination of T and AL was 88%, 92%, and 100%, respectively. Malaria patients exhibited significantly lower levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and higher levels of white blood cells, triglycerides, and malondialdehyde compared to the control group. Post-treatment, there was a modest reversal on day 4 and a significant return to normal ranges by day 14. Malaria infection did not affect urea or creatinine levels.

Conclusions Tinidazole shows potential as a treatment for P. falciparum, with enhanced efficacy when combined with artemether/lumefantrine.