EVALUATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN EFFECT ON THE ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY OF SOME ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS IN PLASMODIUM BERGHEI INFECTED MICE

This study evaluates the effect of ciprofloxacin (CIP) on the antimalarial activity of artesunate (AS), artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and artesunate-amodiaquine using animal model. Some 120 albino mice infected with chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK65 strain were used. The study was carried out in three phases. Phase 1 consisted of eleven groups treated with different doses of either AS, AL, ASAQ or CIP alone. Phase 2 consisted of nine groups treated with 7 mg/kg of CIP (CIP1) combined with different doses of AS, AL, ASAQ. Phase 3 consist of ten groups treated with 14 mg/kg of CIP (CIP2) with different doses of AS, AL, ASAQ. Thin blood films were used to assess parasitemia level daily after administration of drugs for 72 h. Results were analyzed using student t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). CIP alone showed antimalarial activity with 63 % parasitemia reduction. Antimalarial activities of AS and AL were significantly enhanced by both 7 and 14 mg/kg of CIP. The antimalarial effect of ASAQ was enhanced but not statistically significant. Low dose ciprofloxacin significantly enhanced the antimalarial activities of Artesunate, Artemether-Lumefanthrine and Artesunate-Amodiaquine This combination may be beneficial in the management of Plasmodium falciparum infection or co-infection with salmonellosis