DOI: https://njcpt.com.ng/101.1.2.30
Abstract
Introduction: Malaria is Africa's second leading cause of death from infectious diseases after HIV/AIDS. It is a major public health problem in Nigeria.
Objective: This study evaluated the effects of co-administration of promethazine (an antiemetic) and Artemether-Lumefantrine (antimalarial) on mean parasitaemia and body weight in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.
Method: The mice were grouped into six groups of six mice each and inoculated with Plasmodium berghei. Parasitaemia was noticeable 72 hours post-inoculation, after which artemether-lumefantrine was co-administered orally and for five days. The dose administered was Promethazine 25mg/kg and Artemether-Lumefantrine 10/60mg/kg across all the groups.
Results: Promethazine did not show any significant effect on mean parasitaemia. The average percentage inhibition obtained with Promethazine 25mg/kg (23.32%) was lower than that of the reference standard drug, Artemether-Lumefantrine 10/60mg/kg (85.56%), which was significantly different at level 0.05 (P≤0.05). The combination of promethazine 25mg/kg and Artemether-Lumefantrine (10/60mg/kg) gave a higher percentage inhibition (69.20%) than promethazine (50mg/kg) and Artemether-Lumefantrine (10/60mg/kg), (41.93%), while Artemether-Lumefantrine (85.56%) alone gave a higher inhibition than the drugs co-administered. Administration of A/L reduced parasitaemia by 85.56%, A/L-promethazine (25mg) afforded a 69.20% inhibition, while A/L-promethazine (50mg) caused a 41.93% inhibition.
Conclusion: The study showed that co-administration of Promethazine and Artemether-lumefantrine possesses no advantage over Artemether-Lumefantrine alone.
Keywords: Artemether-lumefantrine, promethazine, co-administration, Parasitaemia,