Efficacy of alpha,beta-arteether in acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.

A phase-III clinical trial was conducted in 50 patients (42M + 8F) with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria from Delhi during the period of September to November 1995. Their mean age was 27.2 years, and the mean parasitaemia on day 0 was 0.65%. Patients were hospitalized and treated with a new ethyl derivative of artemisinin developed at CDRI called alpha, beta-arteether, at the dosage of 150 mg l/M for three consecutive days. Peripheral smears were examined every day for 4 days and then weekly up to 28 days. The results of the study showed that the mean parasite and fever clearance times were respectively 19.94 +/- 6.87 and 37.81 +/- 21.67 hours. Within 48 h, 70% of the cases became afebrile and the peripheral smear was negative in 100% of the cases. The drug was well tolerated. Three cases (6%) had recrudescence within 28 days. It is concluded that alpha, beta-arteether is a safe, effective and rapidly acting antimalarial.

Bromo-deoxyuridine based assay for detection of parasite and drug sensitivity in Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.

A non-radioactive, thymidine analogue-bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu), derivative of uridine has been used for incorporation in DNA in culture of P. falciparum at various dosages and at different time period. Parasite growth rate and effect of chloroquine in culture were monitored by microscopic observation of stained smears and incorporation of Brdu molecules were visualized by immunofluorescence and measured by enzyme immuno assay using anti-Brdu. Uptaking of Brdu in parasite is slower unlike tumour cells. A positive correlation between parasite growth and Brdu uptake measurement by ELISA has been observed.

Preliminary evaluation of safety aspects of neem oil in kerosene lamp.

Kerosene lamps containing one per cent neem oil were used for mosquito repellent action in a village near Delhi. The safety aspects of this personal protection method developed by Malaria Research Centre were evaluated by animal studies and clinical examination of population before and after exposure. Single application of neem oil (1%) did not produce skin irritation in rabbits and adverse effect on guinea pigs after exposure to aerosol. Clinical examination of 156 adults and 110 children did not reveal any major adverse effects after one year of exposure to 1% neem oil.

In vitro antimalarial activity of monoterpenic fragment analogues of aplasmomycin.

Synthetic analogues of a monoterpenic fragment of aplasmomycin were tested for their antimalarial activity in Plasmodium falciparum culture in vitro. The antimalarial activities of these agents were evaluated in chloroquine sensitive strains. Parasite growth was inhibited in a dose dependent manner in the presence of the synthetic compounds (3-9).