Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22031141
Title: Artemether-loaded zein nanoparticles: An innovative intravenous dosage form for the management of severe malaria
Authors: Boateng-Marfo, Yaa
Dong, Yuancai
Ng, Wai Kiong 
Lin, Hai-Shu 
Keywords: Artemether
Artemisinin
Extended release
Hemolysis
Intravenous
Nanoparticles
Pharmacokinetics
Severe malaria
Sodium caseinate
Zein
Issue Date: 24-Jan-2021
Publisher: MDPI AG
Citation: Boateng-Marfo, Yaa, Dong, Yuancai, Ng, Wai Kiong, Lin, Hai-Shu (2021-01-24). Artemether-loaded zein nanoparticles: An innovative intravenous dosage form for the management of severe malaria. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22 (3) : 1-22. ScholarBank@NUS Repository. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22031141
Rights: Attribution 4.0 International
Abstract: Artemether, an artemisinin derivative, is used in the management of life-threatening severe malaria. This study aimed to develop an intravenous dosage form of artemether using nanotechnology. Artemether-loaded zein nanoparticles were prepared by modified antisolvent precipitation using sodium caseinate as a stabilizer. Subsequently, the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized; the in vitro hemolytic property was examined with red blood cells, while the pharmacokinetic profile was evaluated in Sprague–Dawley rats after intravenous administration. The artemether-loaded zein nanoparticles were found to display good encapsulation efficiency, excellent physical stability and offer an in vitro extended-release property. Interestingly, encapsulation of artemether into zein nanoparticles substantially suppressed hemolysis, a common clinical phenomenon occurring after artemisinin-based antimalarial therapy. Upon intravenous administration, artemether-loaded zein nanoparticles extended the mean residence time of artemether by ~80% in comparison to the free artemether formulation (82.9 ± 15.2 versus 45.6 ± 16.4 min, p < 0.01), suggesting that the nanoparticles may prolong the therapeutic duration and reduce the dosing frequency in a clinical setting. In conclusion, intravenous delivery of artemether by artemetherloaded zein nanoparticles appears to be a promising therapeutic option for severe malaria. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Source Title: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
URI: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/232146
ISSN: 1661-6596
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031141
Rights: Attribution 4.0 International
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