Evaluation of the Antiplasmodial Effect of Retinol on Plasmodium berghei berghei Infection in Mice

摘要

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of retinol on chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei infection in mice. Albino mice weighing 18-25 g where treated with retinol (50-200 mg kg^-1) in a set of experiments to investigate chemotherapeutic and prophylactic effect against Plasmodium berghei berghei infection in mice. Treatment in one of the chemotherapeutic groups continued throughout the study period. Retinol demonstrated a mild dose dependent schizontocidal effect on early and established infection. This effect became stronger on chronic administration but it also produced toxic manifestations and eventual death in most of the animals. Retinol also demonstrated a prophylactic effect by significantly delaying the onset of infection. The repository activity of retinol was however lower than that of the standard drug (Pyrimethamine-1.2 mg kg/day). Retinol possesses antiplasmodial activity especially during chronic administration thus suggesting that it might have a role in malaria control. Further studies in the area of its structural activity relationships are needed to justify this assertion.