Aram Khezri, Mahdi Nateghpour, Afsaneh Motevali Haghi, Taher Elmi, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Mehdi Shafii Ardestani, Haleh Hanifian
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The use of nanocarriers in combination with other treatments shows significant promise in addressing drug-resistant diseases, particularly malaria. Given the high prevalence of drug-resistant malaria, research into innovative therapies is crucial. This study focuses on a nanoform of chitosan, a biodegradable polymer, combined with Crocus sativus (saffron) and chloroquine to enhance their antimalarial effects.
Methods: Saffron extract and chloroquine were separately conjugated with chitosan, followed by confirmation tests to determine conjugation efficiency. Both chloroquine-resistant and sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum were cultured to calculate the IC50 values of various treatments in vitro. This study was conducted at the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran in 2024.
Results: Confirmation tests (FTIR, DLS, Zeta potential, TEM) verified proper drug conjugation to nanocomposites, with observed nanosize, the percentage of conjugation was 64.4% for chloroquine and 42.9% for saffron. Toxicity and hemolysis tests confirmed safe doses. The IC50s values for Chloroquine, Nanoparticle-Chloroquine, Saffron, and Nanoparticle-Saffron were 0.3, 0.8, 42.5, and 6.24 μg/ml, respectively, for the sensitive strain, and 5, 1, 12.5, and 3.12 μg/ml, respectively, for the resistant strain. Combination therapy with the fixed ratio method showed synergistic effects. Statistical analysis revealed synthesized nanocomposites' superior inhibition of P. falciparum growth compared to non-nano. Significant differences were observed in some cases (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Utilizing nanocarriers and combination therapy is an appropriate strategy for addressing drug resistance. Saffron's anti-malarial effects on P. falciparum were notably increased when linked to chitosan nanocomposites. Furthermore, employing a fixed ratio technique enhanced the therapeutic effectiveness of saffron when combined with chloroquine and chloroquine-nanocomposites across all concentrations.
期刊介绍：
Iranian Journal of Parasitology (IJP) is the official publication of Iranian Society of Parasitology (ISP) launched in 2006. The society was inaugurated in 1994 and pursues the improvement of the knowledge on the parasites and parasitic diseases, exchange of scientific knowledge with foreign societies, publicity activities, and consultation on the parasitic diseases, and intimate relationship among society members.
The main aims of the Journal are: contribution to the field of Parasitology, including all aspects of parasites and parasitic diseases (medical and veterinary) and related fields such as Entomology which may be submitted by scientists from Iran and all over the world.
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