The effect of lopinavir/ritonavir on the antimalarial activity of artemether or artemether/lumefantrine in a mouse model of Plasmodium berghei

Abstract

The possibility of drug–drug interactions occurring during the treatment of malaria infection in human immunodeficient virus (HIV) patients receiving antiretroviral drugs is very high and limited data are available. This study reports the effect of lopinavir/ritonavir (LR) an antiretroviral drug on the antimalarial activity of standard dose of artemether/lumefantrine (AL) or artemether (AM) in a mouse model of Plasmodium berghei. The 50% effective dose (ED₅₀) of AM alone (0·80±0·15 and 2·18±0·75 mg/kg) or in combination with LR (0·88±0·40 and 3·53±1·09 mg/kg) on days 4 and 5 post-infection was similar. In addition, treatment with a standard dose of AL alone or in combination with LR resulted in complete suppression of parasite growth. However, co-administration of LR with AL appears to be toxic resulting in lower survival of experimental animals in comparison to those treated with standard dose of AL alone.

Keywords:

• Plasmodium berghei
• Lopinavir/ritonavir
• Artemether
• Artemether/lumefantrine
• Efficacy and Safety

Acknowledgements

John Akinbo a graduate student was supported by Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta during the study.