Potential efficacy of citicoline as adjunct therapy in treatment of cerebral malaria

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2014;58(1):602-5. doi: 10.1128/AAC.02591-12. Epub 2013 Oct 28.

Abstract

Cerebral malaria (CM) is characterized by a dysregulated immune response that results in endothelial membrane destabilization and increased microparticle (MP) production. Citicoline (CTC) is a membrane stabilizer used for the treatment of neurological disorders. We evaluated the efficacy of CTC as adjunct therapy to aid recovery from experimental CM. We show that CTC reduces MP production in vitro; in combination with artesunate in vivo, confers partial protection against CM; and prolongs survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use*
  • Artemisinins / therapeutic use
  • Artesunate
  • Cytidine Diphosphate Choline / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Cerebral / drug therapy*
  • Mice

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemisinins
  • Cytidine Diphosphate Choline
  • Artesunate