Antiplamodial effect of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine/clindamycin: A study in parasitized mice

Triple antimalarial combination therapies may overcome the emergence of antimalarial drug resistance. Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (S/P) is an antimalarial drug. Clindamycin (C) has potential antiplasmodial effect. This study examine whether the antiplasmodial activity of S/P can be augmented by C on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Adult Swiss albino mice (25-30g) were grouped and infected with Plasmodium berghei. The mice were orally treated daily with S/P (21.4/10.7 mg/kg), C (10mg/kg) and S/P/C, respectively using curative, prophylactic and suppressive tests. The normal and negative controls were treated daily with normal saline (0.2ml) while the positive control was orally treated with chloroquine (CQ) (10mg/kg). Mice were assessed for mean survival time. After treatment, blood samples were collected and evaluated for percentage parasitamia and hematological parameters. In the curative, suppressive and prophylactic tests, S/P/C significantly decreased parasitamia levels when compared to SP or C at p< 0.05. S/P/C significantly prolonged mean survival time when compared to S/P or C with difference at p< 0.05. S/P, C, and S/P/C produced 65.62 %, 62. 03 % and 85.31 % parasitamia inhibitions, respectively while CQ produced 83.72 % parasitamia inhibition. S/P/C caused significant reduction in anemia marked by increased packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells and decreased white blood cells at p< 0.05 when compared to SP or C. S/P/C eradicates liver merozoites and central vein congestion. C increased the antiplasmodial activity of S/P, therefore S/PC may be used for malaria treatment.