Topical chemotherapy for experimental African trypanosomiasis with cerebral involvement: the use of melarsoprol combined with the 5-nitroimidazole, megazol.

Abstract

Megazol, one of a number of related 5-nitroimidazoles, can be dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide and the solution can be converted into a gel by the addition of hydroxypropylcellulose which facilitates the ease and accuracy of administration. This megazol gel, when used in combination with melarsoprol (3.6%) in propylene glycol gel, will cure experimental CNS-trypanosomiasis in mice. A single application of 0.1 ml of melarsoprol (3.6%) gel plus 0.1 ml of either 8 or 16 mg/ml megazol gel successfully treated experimental CNS-trypanosomiasis while two consecutive days' treatment with 0.05 ml melarsoprol and 0.1 ml of 16 or 32 mg/ml megazol gels also produced satisfactory cures.

• Authors: F W Jennings, G Chauvière, C Viode, M Murray
• Journal: Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH (Trop Med Int Health) Vol. 1 Issue 3 Pg. 363-6 (Jun 1996) ISSN: 1360-2276 [Print] England
• PMID: 8673840 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Gels
• Propylene Glycols
• Thiadiazoles
• Trypanocidal Agents
• megazol
• Propylene Glycol
• Dimethyl Sulfoxide
• Melarsoprol

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Animals
• Brain Diseases (drug therapy)
• Dimethyl Sulfoxide
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Gels
• Melarsoprol
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Propylene Glycol
• Propylene Glycols
• Thiadiazoles (administration & dosage)
• Trypanocidal Agents (administration & dosage)
• Trypanosomiasis, African (drug therapy)