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Infectious Diseases of Poverty Sep 2017Echinococcosis is a serious, zoonotic, parasitic disease with worldwide distribution. According to a epidemiological survey in 2012 in China, there are 20,000 infected...
BACKGROUND
Echinococcosis is a serious, zoonotic, parasitic disease with worldwide distribution. According to a epidemiological survey in 2012 in China, there are 20,000 infected patients and more than 50 million people at the risk. As the dog is the main, definitive host, the Government of China encourages monthly praziquantel treatment of every dog. However, this is difficult to achieve in geographically challenging areas, such as the Tibetan plateau, where there are also many dogs without owners. To overcome these problems, we investigated the transmission blocking capacity of a slow-release formulation of praziquantel administered by subcutaneous injection.
METHODS
The impact of a slow-release preparation of two pharmacokinetically stereoselective praziquantel enantiomers, i.e., R-(-)-praziquantel (R-PZQ) and S-(+)-praziquantel (S-PZQ) absorbed into a biodegradable polymer was studied in beagle dogs (N = 6). The preparation was given by subcutaneous injection using a single dose of 100 mg/kg. Chiral-selective, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) were applied to measure the praziquantel enantiomers in the plasma of the dogs. The lower limit for estimating plasma concentrations accurately for R-PZQ was 4 ng/ml and for S-PZQ 20 ng/ml. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by a noncompartmental analysis model using Drug Analyze System (DAS) software 2.0. The SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis, and the statistical comparison between enantiomers was assessed using the two-tailed t-test.
RESULTS
Two hours after administration, peak concentrations of R-PZQ and S-PZQ: 321 ± 26 and 719 ± 263 ng/ml, respectively, were achieved. After 180 days, the average plasma concentration of R-PZQ in the six dogs had decreased to 13 ng/ml. The average concentration value of S-PZQ was higher than that of R-PZQ in the first 90-day period but fell afterwards and could not be accurately estimated when dropping below 20 ng/ml (the lower methodological limit for this enantiomer). Taking all the dogs into account, the average maximum concentration (C) of S-PZQ in plasma over the first 3 months was higher than that of R-PZQ by 114.0% (P < 0.05), while the average mean retention time (MRT) of R-PZQ in plasma was higher than that of S-PZQ by 96.3% (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Praziquantel given as an in situ slow-release formulation by subcutaneous injection resulted in concentrations of the active principle in beagle dogs, which should be capable of resisting new Echinococcus infections for at least 6 months. The new formulation of praziquantel represents a potential, alternative way of presenting medication against tapeworm infections in dogs.
Topics: Animals; Anticestodal Agents; China; Delayed-Action Preparations; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Echinococcosis; Praziquantel
PubMed: 28911334
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-017-0357-4 -
Molecular Pharmaceutics Apr 2023Praziquantel (PZQ) is a chiral class-II drug, and it is used as a racemate for the treatment of schistosomiasis. The knowledge of several cocrystals with dicarboxylic...
Praziquantel (PZQ) is a chiral class-II drug, and it is used as a racemate for the treatment of schistosomiasis. The knowledge of several cocrystals with dicarboxylic acids has prompted the realization of solid solutions of PZQ with both enantiomers of malic acid and tartaric acid. Here, the solid form landscape of such a six-component system has been investigated. In the process, two new cocrystals were structural-characterized and three non-stoichiometric, mixed crystal forms identified and isolated. Thermal and solubility analysis indicates a fourfold solubility advantage for the newly prepared solid solutions over the pure drug. In addition, a pharmacokinetic study was conducted in rats, which involved innovative mini-capsules for the oral administration of the solid samples. The available data indicate that the faster dissolution rate of the solid solutions translates in faster absorption of the drug and helps maintain a constant steady-state concentration.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Praziquantel; Anthelmintics; Solubility
PubMed: 36884008
DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00984 -
British Medical Journal Dec 1979The effectiveness of the new schistosomicide praziquantel was assessed in African schoolchildren infected with Schistosoma haematobium. They were stratified according to... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial
The effectiveness of the new schistosomicide praziquantel was assessed in African schoolchildren infected with Schistosoma haematobium. They were stratified according to the severity of their infection and were then randomly allocated to treatment with two single-dose regimens (30 and 40 mg/kg) and a split regimen of two doses of 20 mg/kg given four hours apart. All three regimens were highly effective and produced few side effects. Children who initially had very high pretreatment egg loads showed a poorer therapeutic response at all dose levels, and further investigations are necessary to find the optimum dose. Because of its effectiveness in a single dose and lack of toxicity, praziquantel may prove to be the ideal schistosomicide.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Isoquinolines; Parasite Egg Count; Praziquantel; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosomiasis; Schistosomicides
PubMed: 519476
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.6202.1396 -
DICP : the Annals of Pharmacotherapy Jan 1989Six different brands of 600 mg praziquantel tablets were evaluated. In vitro studies demonstrated that all but one of the products met the British Pharmacopoeia 1980... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Six different brands of 600 mg praziquantel tablets were evaluated. In vitro studies demonstrated that all but one of the products met the British Pharmacopoeia 1980 disintegration time specifications. The comparative bioavailability of four of the internationally available brands of praziquantel tablets were then studied in eight healthy volunteers using a crossover design. Serum praziquantel levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Individual serum profiles were analyzed for pharmacokinetic parameters such as maximum serum concentration, time to reach maximum, and area under the curve. Following administration of praziquantel 40 mg/kg po, the mean peak serum concentrations and the time to reach the peak ranged from 1.007 to 1.625 micrograms/ml and from 1.72 to 2.81 hours, respectively. The elimination half-life of praziquantel was 1.15 (0.94-1.25) hours. Differences greater than 20 percent (p less than 0.05) were noted for these parameters between the original brand and the generic formulations. The relative bioavailabilities of the generic praziquantel formulations, with respect to the original brand, were 91.25, 80.95, and 69.86 percent. This is due to the failure of disintegration and subsequently poor dissolution. The effect of 30 percent reduction of bioavailability may lead to unacceptably high rates of treatment failure.
Topics: Adult; Biological Availability; Half-Life; Humans; Male; Praziquantel; Reference Values; Tablets
PubMed: 2718480
DOI: 10.1177/106002808902300105 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Oct 1983
Topics: Humans; Isoquinolines; Praziquantel; Schistosomiasis
PubMed: 6625408
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-99-4-574_4 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2022This study aimed to develop and assess the long-term stability of drug-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). The SLNs were designed to extend the release profile,...
This study aimed to develop and assess the long-term stability of drug-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). The SLNs were designed to extend the release profile, overcome the problems of bioavailability and solubility, investigate toxicity, and improve the antischistosomal efficacy of praziquantel. The aim was pursued using solvent injection co-homogenization techniques to fabricate SLNs in which Compritol ATO 888 and lecithin were used as lipids, and Pluronic F127 (PF127) was used as a stabilizer. The long-term stability effect of the PF127 as a stabilizer on the SLNs was evaluated. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to determine the particle size, stability, and polydispersity. The morphology of the SLNs was examined through the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical properties, as well as the mechanical, thermal, and crystal behaviours of SLNs were evaluated using FTIR, ElastoSens Bio2, XRPD, DSC, and TGA, respectively. SLNs with PF127 depicted an encapsulation efficiency of 71.63% and a drug loading capacity of 11.46%. The in vitro drug release study for SLNs with PF127 showed a cumulative release of 48.08% for the PZQ within 24 h, with a similar release profile for SLNs' suspension after 120 days. DLS, ELS, and optical characterization and stability profiling data indicate that the addition of PF127 as the surfactants provided long-term stability for SLNs. In vitro cell viability and in vivo toxicity evaluation signify the safety of SLNs stabilized with PF127. In conclusion, the parasitological data showed that in -infected mice, a single (250 mg/kg) oral dosage of CLPF-SLNs greatly improved PZQ antischistosomal efficacy both two and four weeks post-infection. Thus, the fabricated CLPF-SLNs demonstrated significant efficiency inthe delivery of PZQ, and hence are a promising therapeutic strategy against schistosomiasis.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Carriers; Lipids; Liposomes; Mice; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Praziquantel
PubMed: 36012770
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169485 -
Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2016Praziquantel (PZQ) is prescribed as a racemic mixture (racemic-PZQ, rac-PZQ), which is composed of (R)-PZQ and (S)-PZQ. In this work, the cytotoxicity of rac-PZQ and its...
Praziquantel (PZQ) is prescribed as a racemic mixture (racemic-PZQ, rac-PZQ), which is composed of (R)-PZQ and (S)-PZQ. In this work, the cytotoxicity of rac-PZQ and its two enantiomers (R)-PZQ and (S)-PZQ on eight cell lines (L-02, HepG2, prf-plc-5, SH-SY5Y, HUVEC, A549, HCT-15, Raw264.7) was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphe-nyltetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assays. The morphology of apoptotic cells was studied by fluorescence microscope using Hoechst 33342 staining, and the cytotoxicity of the compounds was also tested by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Results revealed that (R)-PZQ had negligible cytotoxicity against L-02, SH-SY5Y, HUVEC, A549, HCT-15, and Raw264.7 cells but selectively inhibited tumor cell lines (prf-plc-5 and HepG2). However, in contrast to (R)-PZQ, the (S)-isomer showed higher cytotoxicity against L-02 cells and lower inhibition on prf-plc-5 and HepG2 cells. Besides, (R)-PZQ showed lower cytotoxicity on SH-SY5Y cells than (S)-PZQ. Meanwhile, (R)-PZQ at <80 μM concentration could promote proliferation of macrophage cells (Raw264.7). Our research revealed that (R)-PZQ has lower cytotoxicity than (S)-PZQ and has similar cytotoxicity with rac-PZQ. (S)-PZQ is the principal enantiomer to cause side effects on human definitive hosts. These findings gave the reasonable reasons for World Health Organization to produce (R)-PZQ as a replacement for rac-PZQ for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Hep G2 Cells; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Praziquantel; Schistosomiasis; Stereoisomerism; Tetrazolium Salts; Thiazoles
PubMed: 27445457
DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S98096 -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Mar 2024We previously performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify the genetic basis of praziquantel (PZQ) response in schistosomes, identifying two quantitative...
We previously performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify the genetic basis of praziquantel (PZQ) response in schistosomes, identifying two quantitative trait loci situated on chromosomes 2 and 3. We reanalyzed this GWAS using the latest (version 10) genome assembly showing that a single locus on chromosome 3, rather than two independent loci, determines drug response. These results reveal that PZQ response is monogenic and demonstrates the importance of high-quality genomic information.
Topics: Animals; Praziquantel; Schistosoma mansoni; Genome-Wide Association Study; Drug Resistance; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Anthelmintics
PubMed: 38289079
DOI: 10.1128/aac.01432-23 -
The Journal of the Association of... Aug 1988
Topics: Cysticercosis; Humans; Male; Nervous System Diseases; Praziquantel
PubMed: 3246511
DOI: No ID Found -
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and... Jun 2018Praziquantel is the only available drug to treat Schistosomiasis. However, its utilization is limited by many drawbacks, including the high therapeutic dose needed,...
Praziquantel is the only available drug to treat Schistosomiasis. However, its utilization is limited by many drawbacks, including the high therapeutic dose needed, resulting in large tablets and capsules difficult to be swallowed, especially from pediatric patients. In this study, an alternative option to overcome these disadvantages is proposed: to switch to a novel crystalline polymorph of racemic compound praziquantel. The preparation of the crystalline polymorph was realized via a neat grinding process in a vibrational mill. The new phase (Form B) was chemically identical to the starting material (as proved by HPLC, H NMR, and polarimetry), but showed different physical properties (as evaluated by SEM, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and solid-state NMR). Furthermore, the crystal structure of the new phase was solved from the powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction pattern, resulting in a monoclinic C2/c cell and validated by DFT-D calculation. Moreover the simulated solid-state NMR C chemical shifts were in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The conversion of original praziquantel into Form B showed to affect positively the water solubility and the intrinsic dissolution rate of praziquantel. Both the in vitro and in vivo activity against Schistosoma mansoni were maintained. Our findings suggest that the new phase, that proved to be physically stable for at least one year, is a promising product for designing a new praziquantel formulation.
Topics: Animals; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Capsules; Crystallization; Powders; Praziquantel; Schistosoma mansoni; Solubility; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Tablets; X-Ray Diffraction
PubMed: 29409939
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2018.01.018